During the week of April 19-26, 2008, Cumming First United Methodist Church will play host to the Festival of the Arts, a celebration of the arts incorporating people from all over the community of Cumming, the County of Forsyth, and the region.

The Festival of the Arts will include both professional and student level juried art exhibits featuring two and three dimensional works with cash awards totaling over $8000 given to outstanding entries. The Festival begins on Saturday, April 19th with a gala reception for patrons and artists for the professional level art exhibit. Wednesday, April 23rd will see the opening of and reception for the student exhibit submitted by the art departments of the Forsyth County Schools and the Cumming First United Methodist Church Preschool. Each exhibit will be open daily during the week and art from each show will be available for purchase.

A musical highlight of the week will be the midweek concert by the David Brothers Big Band, one of the leading jazz ensembles in North Georgia. The concert, held Wednesday, April 23rd at 8:00 p.m., will follow the opening of the student exhibits and is free and open to the public.

The Festival concludes with the Broadway in Concert night featuring the Cumming FUMC Chancel Choir, Guests and Orchestra in a concert performance of the classic Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls. The concert is Saturday, April 26th at 7:30 p.m. and will also include the announcement of all juried art awards. Tickets for the event are available through the Cumming FUMC music office.

For information about these and other events, contact John Hutchinson, Director of Music, Worship & Art at (770) 887-2900, ext. 239 or at jhutchinson@cumcga.com.