Cocktails & Carousels
The Frederick Arts Council is holding a fall fundraiser to support arts programming throughout the County
Cocktails & Carousels will feature talented local musicians, a live auction of one-of-a-kind refurbished carousel horses, a silent auction of select carousel related artwork, delightful signature cocktails and beverages, exquisite hors d’oeuvres and a chance to connect with the local creative community. Join us in celebrating the arts in Frederick!
5:30-6:30 Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, Silent auction of carousel-themed paintings
6:30-7:30 Welcome, FAC Highlights, Live Auction of Carousel Horses
7:30-8:30 Cocktails continued and completion of silent auction
For purchase of auction art: cash, checks, credit cards accepted.
Purchase Tickets on Eventbrite
To avoid paying the ticketing processing fee, please pay by check (Frederick Arts Council, 115 E Church St, Frederick, MD 21701) and we will complete your registration.
Rreach out to info@frederickartscouncil.org for other payment options.
Image by Mary Page Evans
Consider Becoming a Sponsor! See full benefits here.
Much appreciation to the Frederick Keys for their generous donation of original carousel horses for refurbishing and decorating.
Artists Decorating Carousel Horses Available During Live Auction
Adam Curtis
Bill Watson
Breck Brunson
Cynthia Scott-Johnson
Lowe Turner & Elizabeth Ashe
Esperanza Alzona
Joan Cartier
Lea Craigie Marshall
Matt Long
Shane Acuff
Sheldon Mathis
Suzanne Feldman, Barbra Quinn, Geoff Quinn & Vicki Sipe
2D Silent Auction Artists
Mark Adler
Melissa Adler
Christine Merry
Mary Page Evans
Rebecca Jackson
Lee Newman
Rebecca Pearl
Horses on Parade
You can find carousel figures throughout Frederick County the month leading up to the Cocktails & Carousels event. Full map and auction link coming soon.
High-Ho, Silver!
Esperanza Alzona
Located at Y Arts Center (115 E Church St, Frederick)
High-Ho, Silver!” —the phrase associated with the Lone Ranger, has become a cultural touchstone, used metaphorically to indicate that something or someone is on the way or that help is coming. The famous stallion named Silver was actually white, but this horse is a bright metallic silver. The refurbished figure is meant to be a symbol of shining hope, help arriving, a harbinger of something exciting about to happen. A pair of wings have been added reminiscent of Pegasus, conveying the idea of swiftness and unstoppable movement in an upward direction, characteristics of a mission being carried out with divine purpose. The horse is a bright, shiny vision of uplifting, hope, salvation and transcendence, much needed in our troubled times.
Animae Liberato Onoris
Shane Acuff
Located at Sacred Arts (216 N Market St, Frederick)
When I took stewardship of the creature, it was nameless. It’s body worn by years of carrying burdens, for the joy of countless travelers. I sought to unfold all that had been worn into this beast, by helping it regenerate into something that others would strive to support, joyfully, for the burden to carry it on, so that it may serve anew. A vessel to embody the noble release of burdens, and it is so named: The Animae Liberato Onoris. May it’s unbreakable spirit inspire the unbinding of pains carried with countless burdens~
Fantastical Majesty in the Key of Three
Breck Brunson
Location coming soon
Art breathes and evolves while being made and even further as diverse engagements occur. Translations and intent are subject to the varying interpretations. Beginning and never ending in subtleties of new comparisons and relations including location changes.
My carousel zebra had a story before we chose each other for this artistic endeavor. The black and white stripes, the heavy aluminum casting, the thought of spinning to a whimsical soundtrack and the sounds of riders seeking an escape from everyday outcomes reminded me that joy can be creatively designed.
Many outside of eastern and southern Africa don’t encounter zebras. This wonderful creature is bordering mystical. This majestic sentiment is what I wanted to shine through with my remix.
My love of music, rhythm, and notes are also in play here. The gold and chrome striping pattern keep visual time as the three little birds perform notes. A song by the title, “three little birds” assisted my decision to include them as supportive components. “Singing don’t worry, cuz every little thing, gonna be alright”. A hopefulness in the key of three.
Challedon
Joan Cartier
Located at the Weinberg Center for the Arts (20 W Patrick St, Frederick)
Challedon was a highly decorated racehorse, born and raised at Glade Valley Farm in Walkersville, MD. Challedon was recognized as the Horse of the Year in both 1939 and 1940, the American Champion 3-Year-Old Colt in 1939, and the American Handicap Horse in 1940. In 1977 he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.
Challendon is especially loved in Frederick County because a portion of his winnings paid for the air conditioning at the Tivoli Theatre in Frederick (now the Weinberg Center for the Arts) in 1939, making it the first air conditioned building in Frederick.
Lea Cragie Marshall
coming soon
Adam Curtis
Location coming soon
Salty the Seahorse
Suzanne Feldman, Barbra Quinn, Geoffrey Quinn, and Vicki Sipe
Located at 7th Sister Garden (228 N Market St, Frederick)
Salty the Seahorse is surrounded by her underwater friends. The artist team bringing Salty to life believes that glass is a narrative medium, and does best when it’s telling a story.
Pinto Party!
Matt Long
Located at ANCB Bank (2 N Market St, Frederick)
With this sculpture, I wanted to celebrate the playful and vibrant energy that the carousel experience radiates. Bright colors, bold graphics, and pattern exploration work together to create an exciting visual blend of vintage circus nostalgia and modern elements of design. I’m reminded of a child-like wonder and unique design
aesthetic that’s defined so many fun memories for multiple generations.
Beau Monde
Sheldon Mathis
Location coming soon
A horse accustomed to the fashionable lifestyle in the 1700s. The book “Life Mask” by Emma Donoghue was very influential in this project and for that I am very grateful. This horse was made using acrylic paint, gloss medium, epoxy sculpt, beads, and costume pearls.
Purple Pony Club
Cynthia Scott-Johnson
Located at: The Frederick Center (5 E 2nd St, Frederick)
Our perceptual bubbles shift with mood and change with the season. This pony came to life during Frederick Pride 2025. That was the vibe when I was painting Purple Pony Club. Chappell Roan’s song was in the streets all weekend long, and now I can’t get it out of my heart.
Vince
Lowe Turner & Elizabeth Ashe
Located at Woodsboro Bank starting August 25 then the Great Frederick Fair from Sept 10-18
When we thought about carousels, we thought about the circular movement, the twinkling lights, nostalgic time with family, and brassy music. When we thought of how the carousel horse must feel, we imagined it embodied in the opposite way — stillness, and the sky in motion. Vince is a nod to Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” where our horse is the medium between spectator and rider — churning the night sky at a wild gallop, with black-eyed susans and a few Maryland beetles underfoot.
Funky Chicken
Bill Watson
Located at Vault of Visions (1 N Market St, Frederick)
“Funky Chicken” is an exploration of color and form that reflects Watson’s distinctive stylistic approach. The work presents an intricate interplay of flattened geometric elements against a dimensional surface. While sharp, straight-edged forms seem to act independently, the underlying carousel figure maintains its sinuous, curving motion. This tension between precision and fluidity disrupts familiar visual expectations, inviting the viewer to reconsider the boundaries of the typical and to see beyond the obvious.
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