Don't miss the Festival of the Arts beginning April 19th with both professional and student exhibits and prizes totalling over $8000...
During the week of April 19-26, Cumming First United Methodist Church will host the first Festival of the Arts; a grand celebration of the arts including professional and student art exhibits and concerts incorporating people from all over the community of Cumming, the County of Forsyth, and the region. The entire sanctuary building complex will be converted to art galleries and concert performance space for the week.
The Professional Art Exhibit opens on Saturday April 19th with an invitation only gala reception for Patrons and Artists, then opens to the public on Sunday, April 20th. The Professional Exhibit is open daily from 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday-Saturday (1 p.m.–6 p.m. on Sunday). Featured will be works by twenty-nine artists including paintings, sculptures, banners, photographs and more.
The Student Exhibit opens to the public on Wednesday, April 23rd, and is open daily from 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday–Friday. Each of Forsyth County’s public schools has been invited to submit work for inclusion in the Student Exhibit. The Cumming First United Methodist Pre-School will also be displaying work as a part of the student exhibit. A reception for student artists will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday evening. The public is invited to attend and meet the student artists whose work is on display.
Both the Professional and Student Exhibits have juried awards with cash prizes totaling over $8000. Those visiting the exhibits will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pieces with the Audience Choice Awards. Much of the art on display will be available for purchase with prices ranging from $100 to $3000. All exhibits are free and open to the public.
At 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, April 20th, the Reinhardt College Concert Choir will appear in the Cumming FUMC worship services singing selections including traditional spirituals and contemporary favorites.
At 8 p.m. on April 23rd, the first of two concerts is scheduled. The David Brothers Superband will play a concert of “cool stuff that cool people like to hear.” Performing “standard and original ballads, burning be-bop tunes, cheesy pop tunes, weird (yet satisfying) contemporary tunes, and more”, the David Brothers will provide a soundscape that will delight audiences of all ages. The concert is free and open to the public.
The week culminates on Saturday, April 26th at 7:30 p.m. with a spectacular concert performance of the Broadway favorite “Guys and Dolls” performed by the Cumming FUMC Chancel Choir and Guests accompanied by a full Broadway orchestra. The evening will also see the announcement of all awarded prizes for each of the exhibits. Tickets for the evening are available by advanced purchase: Adults $20, Seniors $17.50, Students $15. Tickets are available at the door for an additional $2.50 per person.
Cumming FUMC is located at 770 Canton Highway in Cumming. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (770) 887-2900, ext. 239 or email jhutchinson@cfumcga.com
Don’t forget that you can still support the Festival of the Arts with your financial contribution.
