On behalf of Blossoms of Hope:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Contact: Vera Simmons Executive Director
vera@blossomsofhope.org
443-280-2590
February 24, 2025
Ribbon Cutting to Kick-off Blossoms 2025 Countywide Art Show
A ribbon cutting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM in the lobby at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center (JHHCMC). County Executive Calvin Ball will join Blossoms of Hope chair Joe Barbera, executive director Vera Simmons, and Dr. Shafeeq Ahmed, JHHCMC president in kicking off a month-long countywide art show featuring almost 500 individual pieces of art including painting, fabric, jewelry, sculpture, mosaic, to name a few.
“I’m honored to partner with Blossoms of Hope to kick off their 20th anniversary celebration with the Countywide Art Show. For two decades, Blossoms of Hope has offered comfort and support to Howard County families facing some of the most difficult health challenges,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “These powerful exhibits, featuring more than 500 pieces of art, highlight the healing and transformative power of art in our lives and community.”
During the entire month of March, in celebration of Blossoms of Hope’s 20th anniversary, the pink and white blossom-inspired art will be displayed across Howard County in this one-time only art show spanning 14 locations from Cooksville in the west to Laurel and Savage Mill in the east and areas in-between including Columbia and Ellicott City.
“This unique art exhibit across the entire county has brought together members of the art community to create a show with a common thread for one full month,” said Becky Mangus, co-chair of the Blossoms 2025 Countywide Art Show. The theme of pink and white blossoms links to Blossoms of Hope’s mission of beautifying the county and supporting our community,”
“Art in in our DNA,” said Joe Barbera, Blossoms of Hope’s chair. “While over the years we have focused on supporting cancer, health, and mental and behavioral causes, but we have always included an artful component in who we are from the pink blossoming cherry trees to a parade of lanterns, from a cancer-survivor fashion show to a 500-piece art show. It is a piece of us which we are very proud about.”
“This county-wide collaborative art showcase unites the Howard County Community with local and visiting artists while raising awareness of the Blossoms of Hope program and the great work that it does.” said Amanda Hof, executive director for Visit Howard County
The art show is the culmination of two-and-a-half years of planning by the Howard County art community. They started with a smaller show last May, “Plein Air to Prepare.” The Blossoms 2025 Countywide Art Show has grown 10-fold in one year, and while the art is being displayed only in Howard County, art submissions are from throughout the United States. Many of the pieces are for sale with a commission being donated to Blossoms of Hope.
For more information on the ribbon cutting, the new initiatives or Blossoms of Hope, visit blossomsofhope.org or call Vera at 443-280-2590.
