If you go
* What: 9thannual Festival of Arts
* When: Noon-8 p.m. daily through April 23, with performances scheduled throughout
* Where: Cumming First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton Highway
* Cost: Galleries open to the public, admission on an event-basis
Event schedule
* Today: Public school reception and awards announcements, 6-7 p.m.
* Thursday: North Forsyth High School’s drama department presents Children’s Theater Day with “The Aristocats” throughout the morning
* Friday: Jazz in the Gallery, 7:30-9 p.m., $5 admission
* Saturday: Student music Sunday featuring North Forsyth High’s men’s quartet, tenor, Brody Grant and the West Forsyth High brass quintet in worship at 8:45 and 11 a.m.
* Monday: Rising Stars Concert and Competition, 7:30 p.m.
* Tuesday: “mlfilm” Student Film Festival, The Collection at Forsyth AMC Theater, 7:30 p.m., $5 admission
* April 20: University of North Georgia Symphonic Winds concert, 7:30 p.m.
* April 23: North Georgia Symphony Orchestra and professional awards announcements, 7:30 p.m.
* April 24: Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society leads worship at 8:45 and 11 a.m., festival closes at 3 p.m.
CUMMING — The ninth annual Festival of Arts at Cumming First United Methodist Church runs through April 24, with art on constant display and performances scheduled throughout.
About 145 artists have work featured during the event, though that number jumps to about 750 if you include student art, said John Hutchinson, director of music, worship and arts at the church at 770 Canton Highway.
“As always, we have really spectacular things to show people. It’s quite good,” Hutchinson said. “We have quite a number of fine artists this year.”
Exhibits featuring students range from elementary through high school, including the annual Rising Stars Concert and Competition at 7:30 p.m. April 18.
The event showcases classically trained young musicians, instrumentalists and vocalists from the metro area who perform for an audience and receive a cash award for participation.
First, second and audience choice awards also are made during the event.
The “mlfilm” Student Film Festival will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the movie theater at The Collection at Forsyth. Admission is $5. This portion of the festival features young filmmakers’ work with a big-screen experience.
Students from various high schools have created films that will be adjudicated by professional and talented amateur film makers.
Last year’s school winner was West Forsyth High School’s lip dub video, while Sean Tackett won the individual category for “The Art of Fire.”
Other artists include photographers, sculptors, musicians and singers.
From 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jazz in the Gallery will be presented in the main gallery. The David Bros. Jazz Ensemble will perform as attendees are invited to move through the gallery or be seated while they enjoy coffee, tea and desserts. Admission is $5.
“Historically, the church has always been at the forefront of promoting the arts and creating the arts as a glimpse into what it will be like to enter the kingdom of heaven,” according to the event’s website.
“The arts and celebrating the arts offer a door into the church for creative people who are longing for ways to express their creativity and use their gifts to the glory of God.”