Let the holidays begin! I know, I know…it does seem a bit early, but in reality, the season of lights, festivities, family and friends, and all things that shimmer and shine, is right around the corner. Familiar holiday classics are already being played on the radio and the celebrations to kick off the season are beginning to flow into my inbox. I guarantee that the Arts Council is going to be celebrating in style as well.

As many of you know, on the first Tuesday of December (the fifth, to be exact, in 2017), as we have done for the past 37 years, the Arts Council will be celebrating “all things art” at Holiday Glitter and Applause. Held at the University Club of MSU, Holiday Glitter & Applause traditionally welcomes more than 200 guests and also provides the Arts Council the opportunity to honor artists, supporters and leaders in the Capital Region with our annual Applause Awards.

As I write this note, our past president’s council is gathering to decide the award winners, and Dawn Gorman, our events manager is creating an exciting red carpet event not to be missed. Cocktails will flow, yummy appetizers and desserts will be served, holiday tunes will be played, a silent auction of over 25 artworks will take place, an Academy Award-style show is being produced, and of course, you will have plenty of time to greet old friends.

We hope you will join us to kick off the season and don’t forget to wear your sparkles – we know of at least one of our sponsors — Merrill Lynch, The Draggoo Huber Team — will be wearing diamonds!

So get your tickets today, and we will see you–and all of the winners–on the red carpet!

And the Applause goes to…

Deborah E. Mikula

Executive Director