For Immediate Release Contact: Monica Haskell

February 15, 2001 305-294-4406

Arts Council Launches Annual Membership Drive

The Monroe Council of the Arts is announcing its annual Membership Drive and Mayor’s Cocktail Reception.

Monroe County Mayor George Neugent invites business members and donors joining or renewing at the $100 level or higher to a fabulous cocktail party on Friday, March 9, 7-9 p.m., at 1600 Patricia Street, Key West. This event, sponsored by Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate (with support from Lorraine Moore, listing agent, and Drs. Roy Hartsook and John Gilliam, Patricia Street owners), will feature food, wine and cocktails, a variety of live entertainment, and displays by local visual artists, at a beautifully renovated estate residence. Look for your invitation in the mail, or call the Arts Council office.

The Monroe Council of the Arts is the designated Local Arts Agency of the Florida Keys. MCAC provides information, networking, and arts advocacy throughout the 150-mile string of islands that compose Monroe County. MCAC grant opportunities for local artists include ArtReach, Artists in Schools, and the ArtWorks teen delinquency prevention program. MCAC membership begins at only $15 for “starving artists.” Benefits of membership include discounts on workshops, invitations to special events, recognition in MCAC publicity, logos and links on the MCAC web site, and much more.

The Florida Keys are blessed with an extraordinary number of artists in all genres, informed arts patrons, dedicated arts educators, and supportive media professionals. It is through strength in numbers (and through MCAC’s respected voice in the state and federal legislatures) that this special population can continue to improve the quality of life for all Keys residents and visitors. Mayor Neugent and the Arts Council board of directors encourage everyone who knows the life-giving power of art to join the Monroe Council of the Arts today! Call Andrea at 852-1469 ext. 4369, 743-0079 ext. 4369, or 294-4406.