Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable weekend at the Suwanee Arts Festival! This vibrant, family-friendly celebration of creativity and culture is back, at Suwanee Town Center Park on Saturday April 12 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday, April 13 (noon to 5 p.m.).
Art lovers, rejoice! Over 120 artists will be showcasing and selling their stunning handcrafted artwork, from paintings and photography to ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts, and woodworking. Plus, don’t miss the chance to see artists in action! Catch Jae Montano painting iconic Bob Ross images and Cavalry Glass Studios demonstrating the mesmerizing craft of hot glass.
There will be live entertainers. Prepare to be wowed by professional musicians, dancers, and talented local performing arts students at the Northside Hospital Stage and throughout the park! With non-stop performances all weekend, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Join the fun at the Lantern Workshop Tent, where you can craft your very own glowing masterpiece for the Suwanee Lantern Parade: Glow in the Park on Saturday, April 19. Purchase a lantern kit, let your creativity shine, and get ready to light up the night!
A Festival with heart, “The Suwanee Arts Festival is a celebration of art, culture, and community spirit,” says Cynthia Hill, executive director of the Suwanee Arts Center. “We are partnering with Northside Hospital to enrich lives through health, wellness, and cultural engagement.”
This festival is the perfect way to kick off the season, so spread the word, invite your friends. For more details on events, classes, and the festival schedule, visit SuwaneeArtsCenter.org.
County seeking lifeguards for its 9 pools
Gwinnett Parks and Recreation is seeking part-time, seasonal lifeguards for its five year-round aquatic centers and four seasonal pools.
Starting pay is $17.32 per hour. Free training is provided for candidates selected to lifeguard at a Gwinnett County aquatic center. Once they have passed the required courses, candidates can become American Red Cross-certified lifeguards, learning lifesaving skills, enforcing safety rules and rescuing swimmers who are injured, sick or in distress.
Gwinnett County maintains and operates nine state-of-the-art seasonal and year-round aquatic facilities providing innovative programs, swim lessons, and recreational activities.
Parks and Recreation Director Chris Minor says: “Preventing injuries, administering first aid or evaluating swimming conditions, our trained lifeguards ensure the safety of the families and individuals who visit our pools. “Becoming a lifeguard is a rewarding way to serve your community while enjoying flexible hours.”
To become a lifeguard in Gwinnett County, you must be 16 or older and must become American Red Cross lifeguard, first aid and CPR/AED certified.
GGC students participate in “Dream Big” program
What happens when you spend a day listening to words of wisdom and inspiring stories so your dream can become a reality? You get a path to success.
During Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) third annual African American Male Initiative (AAMI) Summit, more than 130 attendees learned what it means to take their dreams and make them part of their success story. The AAMI is a University System of Georgia initiative, and attendees were students from GGC, the University of North Georgia and Gordon State College. The summit’s theme was “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother! Dream Big.”
Dr. Rashad Simmons, associate professor and assistant director, AAMI Elite Scholars Program, says: “We want participants to dream big. We equip them with the skills and characteristics to make those dreams tangible, and make them a reality. With AAMI we want them to gain knowledge, have a deeper understanding of themselves and have the confidence to shoot for the stars.”
Gustavious Maddox, ’23, business administration, presented a session that focused on the links created by being part of AAMI.
“AAMI is a program to help you invest in yourself, show your self-worth and stick to what you want to do,” he said. “When I was new at GGC, I would just come to class and leave. When I joined AAMI, it really helped shape my college experience. I felt welcomed and it helped me build a sense of teamwork and connectiveness. To this day I still call on graduates before and after me.”
Maddox took what he learned to heart and launched his own mentoring service for kids in grades K-8 and with the University of Georgia.
“One thing I teach others is when things get really busy, take a moment alone,” he said. “Find a place alone and talk out loud to yourself. When you speak out your problems you can then release them. Do things to the best of your ability and worry only about the things you can control. I’m also a big believer in prayer.”
For Coréon Johnson, a GGC student studying business administration, business management, being part of AAMI has helped him grow. Recently, he was elected president of GGC’s Student Government Association for the 2025-26 academic year.
“It’s where you can get connected, meet people and help you set goals to succeed,” he said. “No matter where you come from, you can be successful.”
For GGC student Dallas Hogan, who graduates in May with his Bachelor of Arts degree in cinema and media arts production, being an AAMI peer mentor means passing along what he has learned. “AAMI is about fellowship and being part of a brotherhood,” he said. “I’ve learned to be more outspoken, think outside the box, and be more open-minded to others who have a different perspective.”
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