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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. Box 6015
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Columbia, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">August 21, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Sarah Dresser
<br />Manager
<br />Office of Cultural Affairs
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7512
<br />OCA@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Commemorative Poster unveiled and musician honored at 2025 Celebration of the Arts</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - The City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs hosted the annual Celebration of the Arts fundraiser for the Columbia Arts Fund Aug. 20 at the Reichmann Pavilion at Stephens Lake Park. The event was hosted by Lisa Cole and Tom Smith. At the end, the 2025 City of Columbia Commemorative Poster was unveiled, along with a special recognition made to a member of the arts community. <br /><br />Each year since 1992, the City of Columbia has produced an annual Commemorative Poster to communicate the vitality and beauty of Columbia. Artist Craig Miles’ "Rhythm-N-Yellow" oil painting was unveiled as this year’s Commemorative Poster. Miles works in a variety of mediums and has recently exhibited at Orr Street Studios and the Boone County History & Culture Center. The poster is available for $20 each at the Convention and Visitors Bureau located in the Walton Building at 300 S. Provi
dence Road. Previous year’s posters are also available for $10 each.<br /><br />Since 2015, the City has also paid special recognition to a member of the arts community, a volunteer or staff member, who has made a significant impact on one of the City’s funded arts organizations. Out of the many worthy submissions, the Office of Cultural Affairs was thrilled to recognize Violet Vonder Haar for her contributions to the arts with a presentation made by Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.<br /><br />Vonder Haar is a musician, educator and community leader. Performing since the age of 9, she is an award-winning singer/songwriter, frontwoman of Violet and the Undercurrents, Director of Music Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia and Programs Director of Compass Inc. - a thriving hub for music lessons, camps, concerts and workshops. <br /><br />For more information about the Celebration of the Arts, visit the City’s website at <a style="white-space:no
wrap" href="https://www.como.gov/cultural-affairs/programs-and-services/celebration-of-the-arts/">CoMo.gov/cultural-affairs/programs-and-services/celebration-of-the-arts/</a>.</div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3393">2025 Commemorative Poster</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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