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Weekend exhibit celebrates art
Bellezza relocates to downtown Cumming
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Forsyth County News
If you're going
What: Bellezza Art Exhibit
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Cumming Station, 125 Tribble Gap Road in Cumming
Contact: For more information, e-mail k.muse@comcast.net or go online at www.sawneeart.org.

Art enthusiasts, get ready for Bellezza, the seventh annual Sawnee Artists Association-sponsored art exhibit this weekend in Cumming.

Artists, who all belong to the association, will display and sell everything from paintings, woodworks, pottery, photography and handmade jewelry.

Edith Hill Smith, one of the group's original members, said the artwork has changed over the years.

"We're just keeping up with the times, along with everyone else, and trying to keep new artwork out there before the public," she said.

Also new this year is the location.

Bellezza, which is Italian for celebration of fine art, began at the Sawnee Arts Center, which was later sold to the county.

After two years at Vickery Village, this weekend's festival is set for the Cumming Station mixed-use building.

A downtown Cumming location will increase the event's exposure, Smith said.

"I think it's very convenient for everybody," she said. "It's right there by City Hall and the bank [BB&T]. It's going to be on a smaller scale just because of the space.

"We always feel blessed to have a place to show our art, and I just think it's a great location."

Mike Evans, part owner of Cumming Station, said he was disappointed he missed last year's exhibit.

"I desperately wanted to go last year ... but something came up last minute and I wasn't able to go," he said. "It was easy to let them come up here and use the building. I'm very excited about it."

Bellezza chairwoman Katheryn Muse is also ready for the event, which will feature about 30 artists.

"We're loving that we have the space so close to downtown," she said. "There's going to be some artists working on site in the patio area, so you can see artists in action as well as their work inside."

In addition to artwork, there will be finger foods, beverages and live entertainment, weather permitting.

"I think it's a great chance to have some really good art in a relaxed atmosphere," Smith said. "That's our main purpose is to get the art out before the public and just have it in a place where they can come and enjoy it at their leisure."