A celebration will be held to mark Arts on the Block’s 20th anniversary on Saturday night.
With a mission to empower creative youth to envision and shape fulfilling futures, join the creative workforce, and serve their communities, the Silver Spring nonprofit was founded in 2003.
The 20th-anniversary celebration will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Arts on the Block studio, located inside the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library in downtown Silver Spring.
Arts on the Block founder Jan Goldstein and its first teaching artist, Carien Quiroga, will be recognized for providing creative outlets and skill-building opportunities for youth in the Greater Montgomery County region. Attendees will also have an opportunity to try their hand at making art at the event. A retail store for Arts on the Block will also be open in person and online, offering mosaic and screen-printed products made by staff and crew, including jewelry, t-shirts, and totes.
The proceeds of all sales will go to support Arts on the Block’s youth arts programs.
“We are so proud of how this organization has grown and evolved over the past 20 years and look forward to what the next 20 years hold,” Arts on the Block executive director Chris Barclay said in a press release. “We’ve been able to serve thousands of young creatives and have fostered an engaged alumni network that is helping to mentor the next generation.”
Arts on the Block’s Board Chair Jason Hofberg adds, “Having been involved with AOB for 6 years, it’s been rewarding to see the transformation Arts on the Block has undergone. I continue to be amazed at the innovative programs and the impact that they have on individuals and the community.”
Tickets for Saturday night’s celebration begin at $35, with additional donation options available. Tickets can be purchased here.
Graphic Courtesy of Arts on the Block