Art Exhibits

'Image and Imagination': Juried exhibition of works by artists living and working in Anne Arundel County will be on display Thursday, May 27, through June 10 at St. John's College's Mitchell Gallery, 60 College Ave., Annapolis. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Information: 410-626-2556 or stjohnscollege.edu. 'Image and Imagination' Juried exhibition of works by artists living and working in Anne Arundel County will be on display Thursday, May 27, through June 10 at St. John's College's Mitchell Gallery, 60 College Ave., Annapolis.

The Brass ElephantWhere: 924 N. Charles St.Hours: Second-floor bar open 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, although it often is open as late as 1:30 a.m. on weekends.Credit cards: All major cards accepted.Call: 547-8480. Although the Brass Elephant is a dress-up, reservations-advised restaurant featuring northern Italian cuisine, its equally elegant upstairs bar has a much more casual attitude."People often walk by the restaurant thinking they're not dressed properly to come in, but there is no dress code for the upstairs bar," says manager Andy Noppenberger.

After a four-month vacancy, curtains will rise again Saturday at the Ellicott Theatre in Ellicott City, with a production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."With a 50-year history, in which the building has been used as a movie house, children's theater, disco and coin-operated laundry, the structure now will offer stage productions as part of the nonprofit Center For The Arts.The center's founders -- theater veterans Tony McGuffin and Gary Goodson -- signed a lease last month, and two weeks ago started work on the Christmas production and an art exhibit that will be on display for a month, beginning Dec. 7.Benefit concerts were scheduled last Friday and Saturday to raise money for the center.

When it comes to art in Howard County, those who can do, teach.It is one of the principles that Barry Shauck emphasizes."I think it's really important to be exposed to people who are practicing," said Mr. Shauck, who supervises the county's 75 art teachers. They "can show the creative . . . and decision-making process."During Mr. Shauck's six-year tenure, the number of art teachers in Howard has more than doubled. The expansion is due to the county's growth as well as Mr. Shauck's leadership and political skill, associates say.At the same time, he has expanded the number of student art exhibits to nearly one a month.

When it comes to art in Howard County, those who can, teach.It is one of the principles that Barry Shauck emphasizes."I think it's really important to be exposed to people who are practicing," said Mr. Shauck, who supervises the county's 75 art teachers. They "can show the creative . . . and decision-making process."During Mr. Shauck's six-year tenure, the number of art teachers in Howard has more than doubled. The expansion is due to the county's growth as well as Mr. Shauck's leadership and political skill, associates say.At the same time, he has expanded the number of student art exhibits to nearly one a month.

Looking for artists Slayton House Gallery, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, is accepting applications to exhibit at the gallery for the 2012 season. Applications are available at Slayton House or by e-mail to cjblack@columbiavillages.org . Information: 410-730-3987 or wlca@columbiavillages.org . Art exhibits •The paintings of Marc Boone and Michael Sastre will be on display through March 13 in the Rouse Co. Foundation Gallery at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway.

At a meeting sparked by complaints about a campus art show containing depictions of the Ku Klux Klan, the president of Harford Community College said the fate of the exhibit will be decided in the next few days.The meeting of nearby residents and the Bel Air school's multicultural advisory committee came after complaints about an exhibit by former student Dan Witmer, whose prints are being shown in the Chesapeake Gallery through Aug. 28.Some of the drawings show hooded and robed Klansmen, images Witmer said were not meant to offend but to illustrate fear and provoke discussion.

After a quarter-century as one of Baltimore's premiere venues for summer theater, Towson University is discontinuing the Maryland Arts Festival. "It was a very difficult decision to make. There was a lot of emotional effort that had gone in over many, many years, but it was a financial model that just wasn't working," said Kit Spicer, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. At its height, the festival produced four stage shows as well as art exhibits, concerts, an opera film series and children's programming.