The Columbia Foundation, in collaboration with The Artists’ Gallery, The Columbia Archives and LakeSide Coffee and Café, hosts an opening reception for “Flights of Fancy,” part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts’ ArtWorks at LakeFest event, on Friday, June 13 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The reception in the lobby of the American City Building in Columbia will honor Howard County school children who submitted to the Festival’s poster contest.

Each of the hosting organizations will have galleries open to the public featuring work of local artists. The Columbia Foundation’s gallery in the American City Building, 10227 Wincopin Circle is showing pastels by Cher Compton and nature photography by Michael Oberman.

Cher Compton teaches painting and drawing at University College at the University of Maryland, in her studio and through Howard County Recreation and Parks. Her work appears in the publication “Best American Artists and Artisans: Pastels” and has won numerous awards at juried exhibitions regionally and nationally.

Michael Oberman’s “Dragonfly on Blue Waterlily” was picked as one of the Top 16 nature photos of 2007 by Parade Magazine and the Nature Conservancy and appeared in the December 2 issue of Parade. His work also was on the cover of the 2008 winter issue of “Little Patuxent Review” and at the Slayton House Gallery’s exhibit “The Nature of Wilde Lake…and More.” He teaches classes on digital photography at Slayton House.

The Columbia Foundation gallery is open from 10:00 to 5:00 Monday-Friday and will feature the two artists through July.

Founded in 1969, the Foundation has awarded over $9 million in grants to Howard County nonprofit organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Money for the grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the Foundation’s endowment supported by over 230 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information on The Columbia Foundation, visit www.columbiafoundation.org or call 410-730-7840.

JPG photos of artwork available upon request.