Arts council honors three county artists

RED BANK — The Monmouth County Arts Council will honor David Bryan, founding member of Bon Jovi, keyboardist and musical playwright; Grace Graupe-Pillard, nationally recognized visual artist and teacher; and Michael Mulheren, Tony Award-nominated Broadway, television and film actor.

The Celebration of Excellence will take place 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at McLoone's Supper Club on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. The evening will include performances and artwork by Monmouth County artists.

The MCAC invites the community to join in honoring the artists, whose dedication to their art is an inspiration to artists, young and old, and to those who believe that theater, music and visual arts are an essential part of a full life, according to a press release from the arts council.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the MCAC's arts education and community arts programs and services.

Graupe-Pillard has exhibited widely, and her work is in the collections of the Newark Museum, National Museum of Women in the Arts, N.J. State Museum and many corporate, educational and private collections. Through her teaching, she has had an impact on thousands of artists, many of whom have worked with her for decades.

Bryan is a founding member and keyboardist of Bon Jovi for more than 26 years. He is fast becoming recognized as an accomplished composer and lyricist of musicals and is co-writer of two musicals currently playing, "The Toxic Avenger" and "Memphis." Bryan has dedicated his time to be a national spokesperson for VH1's "Save the Music" program, advocating for music education for students throughout the county.

Mulheren, a Red Bank native, is an actor whose career covers the range of theater, television and film. He first went on stage as a student at Red Bank Catholic High School and has had a successful career that includes a nomination for a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for best featured actor in a musical for "Kiss Me Kate." His TV work includes regular and guest appearances on shows such as "Law and Order" and "30 Rock," and his work in film includes roles in films directed by Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese.

According to the MCAC, as Monmouth County residents, these artists have contributed to the vibrancy and growth of the local artistic community and beyond. All three honorees exemplify the power and importance of art in our lives to entertain, to sustain and nourish our spirits, to educate children and adults, and to build community, the press release states.

For information on tickets or sponsorship for the event, go to monmoutharts.org or contact Mary Eileen Fouratt, mef@monmoutharts. org or at 732-212-1890, ext. 2.