GROUNDBREAKING
May 19, 2009
After several days of clouds and rain, the sun was shining and the sky was blue as ground was broken for the Holthaus Center For The Arts at Archbishop Curley High School. Curley’s Drumline entertained as the visitors assembled. Mr. Barry Stitz ’87 welcomed the guests and introduced the dignitaries present for the event. Mr. Tim Pillsbury ’10, a current student at Curley, prayed the benediction and the Curley Choir, under the direction of Mr. Michael Gaffney, sang the National Anthem and Curley’s School Song. How this center will be a blessing for the arts, for Curley and for the surrounding community was outlined by the President of Archbishop Curley High School, Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv., himself a Curley graduate from 1979. The proceedings were honored by the presence of Senator Nathanial McFadden, who was instrumental in securing a bond grant for the project and who spoke about the sign of goodness for the city that is at 3701 Sinclair Lane. 
Most Reverend Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, thanked the Faculty and Staff, the Franciscan Friars and the parents and benefactors of Curley for supporting this school, and its effort to radiate a Catholic culture of the arts. Assisted by Fr. Michael, he then blessed the school, those involved in the planning and execution of the project and the ground where the construction will take place. The ceremonial groundbreaking followed with representatives from the school, the Archdiocese, and the civil government participating. A reception concluded the festivities.
The Holthaus Center for the Arts is made possible through the generous response to Curley’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign, “In Giving We Receive”. The center is named for Gerry ’67 and Connie Holthaus, Leadership Benefactors to the Capital Campaign. All at Curley are grateful for their difference-making gift and their ongoing commitment to the mission and students of Archbishop Curley High School. The 12,000 square foot structure will house facilities for Curley’s Choral and Handbell Ensembles, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Drumline, Art Department and Blackfriars' Theatre.