George B. Morris Annual Art Show

The George B. Morris Art Show is held annually in November to highlight the artistic talents of the third and fourth grade students in Charles County.  Both public and private elementary schools are invited to participate. 

The 2012 Art Show was held on November 14th at Neal Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland.

Who Was George B. Morris?

George Berrien Morris received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia in 1959. He was a graduate of the Executive Program of Credit and Financial Management at the Harvard Business School in 1971. He was a member of the La Plata Business Association and La Plata Rotary Club. One of his proudest accomplishments was receiving the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America.

He and his wife Mary, their two daughters and son were active members of Christ Church in La Plata.

George B. Morris was an organizer and founder of County First Bank, he served as first President and CEO upon it’s opening in March, 1990.

His love of the arts, belief in education and his involvement with the community led to the formation of the Holiday Art Show. All participating schools are given a monetary award to enhance their art programs.

County First Bank , it’s current President and CEO, Earl Gieseman III and Chairman of the Board, Jerry Volman are proud to carry on his legacy by sponsoring the Annual George B. Morris Art Show every year.

George B. Morris Art Show History

1991
This was the first year of the show.  County First Bank was located solely in La Plata and only La Plata and southern Charles Co. schools participated.  The awards ceremony was held on a Saturday morning in the branch lobby.  Theme: What the Holidays Mean to Me.

1995
This was the first year we used artwork from the Art Show on our Annual Report cover.

1996
With the opening of our branch in Waldorf, the show was expanded to all Charles County schools. The Waldorf show was held in November, and the La Plata show was held in December.  Awards were presented in the branch lobbies on Saturdays.

2000
The Awards Ceremonies outgrew our branches and this was the first year they were held at the Government Building in La Plata.  It was also the first year that the La Plata and Waldorf shows were combined into one awards ceremony.  After the ceremony, the artwork was then displayed at each branch.  We originally began by alternating 2nd or 3rd Thursday in November and December, but beginning 2004, the 3rd Thursday in November became the target date for the show.

2006
Due to security concerns, the awards ceremony was moved from the Government Building and into the Charles County schools.  From 2006 to 2008 the awards ceremony was held at Mary Matula Elementary in La Plata.  Since 2009, they have been held at Mary B. Neal Elementary in Waldorf.

See the Annual Report Covers designed by our participants (PDF): 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2007-2008 | 2003-2006 | 1999-2002 | 1995-1998

2012 George B. Morris Art Show Participants