Arts:

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Sammie Sarkady, another of Shoemake’s students in the seventh grade at South Forsyth, said she wanted to include many different elements in her painting “A Peaceful Path.”

“It's pretty cool,” Sarkady said. “It makes me feel like my art is actually appreciated for once.”

Sarkady’s mother Suzy said art is a good outlet for her daughter, and the robust art programs at South Forsyth schools and in Cumming have encouraged Sammie.

“She's had these art teachers that are just really seeing her and seeing her abilities and just, you know, encourage her to bring out that side of her, which I think is good for her mental health and well-being and everything,” Suzy Sarkady said.

Aditi Pabbidi, an eighth grade student at South Forsyth Middle School, painted the brightly colored acrylic on canvas “Flower Face” for the show. She said she cut pieces of paper to use as stencils to create the painting, and the showcase made her feel special about her art.

Cumming Arts Center Chair of Publicity and Marketing Marilyn DeCusati said the student showcase followed a

December exhibit that featured artwork from seven Forsyth County high schools and two home schools. After the success of the event, she said, the art teachers asked to continue shows at the arts center.

DeCusati said events at the center have picked up after COVID-19, and art teachers have been active in showcasing student work, which the community has positively received.

“It is absolutely inspirational,” DeCusati said. “The parents have been incredibly proud. The kids, you can see from their faces, how proud they are, and their teachers give them such a platform, I guess. So it's been great for those of us who have been at it a long time to see that and to get that energy back. The excitement, the energy, the talent has just been immeasurable, so it's a lot of fun. It's just fun working with these kids.”