Art show for everyone

Eight years ago, John Hutchinson eyed the bare walls at his church and saw artistic possibilities.

This year, First United Methodist Church in Cumming, Georgia, hosted its eighth-annual Festival of Arts. Opening the second week after Easter and running for two weeks, the event draws more than 1,000 people to see paintings created by professional and student artists. The church also hosts artists performing in dance, music, poetry and film. The church was recognized as having one of the leading regional art festivals.

Festival-goers view paintings of nature, people, abstract images and much more when they enter the gallery at the church. Prices range from $50 to $10,000. Hutchinson, director of music, worship and the arts and organist at the church, is pleased that people can appreciate beauty through an artist’s eyes. The artists came from five states.

This year, the exhibit featured a record number of two- and three-dimensional works, and preschoolers from the congregation and local schools created 350 of the 750 pieces of student artwork. More than 35 Forsyth County schools participate in the art show. A local high school art teacher painted 24 panels of art that stand five to seven feet tall. “We are very big on supporting the arts,” said Hutchinson. The church also gives monetary awards to the students. In the past eight years, awards have totaled almost $80,000.

The church looks forward to hosting the art festival again in 2016. To view some of the paintings, visit the festival website.

AT A GLANCE
First United Methodist Church
770 Canton Hwy., Cumming, GA 30040
770-887-2900 | jriggs@cfumcga.com
www.cfumcga.com
Rev. Jeffrey Len Ross, senior pastor
Average Attendance: 1,114
North Georgia Conference