ARTober Gwinnett, a month-long celebration of the county’s arts, culture and community, is now underway, sponsored by Explore Gwinnett. This month-long celebration of the arts will transform into a living gallery as local artists, performers and cultural organizations bring their talents to stages, streets and unexpected spaces across the community. This year’s 31 days of programming includes the return of the award-winning Not Your Mother’s Art Fest in Lawrenceville.
Madison Chucci, senior community development manager of Explore Gwinnett Tourism and Film, says that “ARTober is such a special time for Gwinnett because it gives residents and visitors the chance to experience our community’s creativity in so many unique ways. After a successful inaugural celebration last year, we’re excited for Not Your Mother’s Art Fest to return and once again break the mold of the traditional art festival.”
Named the 2025 Best New Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Festivals and Events Association, Not Your Mother’s Art Fest will take place on Friday, October 10, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Slow Pour Brewing in Lawrenceville. The free, family-friendly festival celebrates nontraditional art styles and unconventional creativity through immersive installations, live performances, street art, hands-on workshops and interactive experiences. From cutting-edge contemporary works to fresh takes on classic forms, the festival spotlights diverse voices and underrepresented artists who are redefining what art can be. Hosted in partnership with the City of Lawrenceville and Slow Pour Brewing, the celebration blends creativity with community spirit, complemented by local craft beer, food and an inclusive atmosphere.
In addition, Gwinnett will feature a lineup of events showcasing the depth and diversity of the county’s creative community. From live theater and poetry slams to music festivals, chalk art, haunted tours and public art, each day offers a new way to connect with creativity. A full list of ARTober events is available here.
Duluth Historical Society to honor Knox
The Duluth Historical Society (DHS) will honor Daniel “Bud” Knox Jr. as its “Historian of the Year” on Monday, October 13 at 6 p.m. at Dreamland Barbecue.
Knox is 94. After his parents separated, he lived for a number of years with his grandparents in the nearly 200-year-old family log cabin believed to be the oldest dovetailed timber frame structure in Duluth; It is now stored disassembled while soliciting funding to restore it on a new site.
After the Knox presentation, guests will be entertained by Jesse McCorvey, a North Carolina storyteller, and Candace Morgan, DHS president.
Daniel Clayton Knox Jr., was born May 18, 1931. When his parents separated, when he was about 10 years old, Bud went to live in a primitive house with Mama and Papa Knox and their family
In Bud’s youth, his chores included milking cows twice a day, and when he got home from school, working in the field, where the family grew cotton and corn. Their cotton went to Jones Gin, next to where the Duluth Rexall Grill is today. With a two-horse wagon driven by mules, they hauled 1,200 pounds of lint cotton to the gin, which would make one 500 pound bale.
He and Katherine Edwards met in high school and were married in 1952. She died in 2022. From that union they had three children, Kathy Knox Johnson, Judy Knox McCorkle, and Dan Knox. All live within 10 minutes of their father.
Bud Knox lived his whole life in Duluth. He retired in 1996 from L.B. Foster Company in Norcross. He is a member of Duluth First United Methodist Church.
Garden Club to hear History Center horticulturist
The Norcross Garden Club will host Horticulturist Sara Carter at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center on Tuesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Her topic will be “Embracing the New Perennial Movement in the South.”
Since 2011 Carter has been the Olga C. de Goizueta vice president of Goizueta Gardens and Living Collections at the Atlanta History Center. She is responsible for the vision and development of Goizueta Gardens as a public gardens of the Atlanta History Center.
She also serves as the garden designer and curator of living collections. Sarah is a native of Lilburn, and holds a degree in Horticulture from Berry College alongside a professional diploma from Garden Design School in the United Kingdom. She recently received the National Conservation Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution for her work at Goizueta Gardens. For fun, she loves gardening, horseback riding, exploring unspoiled wilderness, traveling, visiting cultural attractions, reading, and piano—but mostly, parenting two lively girls!
The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and registration is requested. To register, visit this link.
County honors firemen, medics who saved a life
County leaders, public safety officials, and community members honored Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies and Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services crews recently for their quick and coordinated actions that saved a life this summer.
A man attending an event on July 2 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center experienced a heart attack. Sheriff’s deputies immediately began CPR, deployed an AED and called 911.
Within four minutes of the call, Fire Station 15 crews arrived and continued advanced care, regaining the patient’s heartbeat while en route to the hospital.
“This was teamwork at its finest,” said Fire Chief Fred Cephas. “From the deputies who acted immediately to the Fire/EMS crews who carried that care forward, every responder played a critical role. Their actions not only saved a life but also reaffirmed why training, preparation, and compassion are at the heart of public safety in Gwinnett.”
Honorees from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office:
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- Assistant Chief James Casey,
- Major Dontae Royal,
- Lieutenant Cynthia Young,
- Lieutenant Anthony Hilliard,
- Lieutenant Joseph Smith,
- Sergeant Alicia Baker,
- Corporal Stephan Santa Maria,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Gregory Coward,
- Deputy Sheriff Senior Reginald Fluker,
- Deputy Sheriff Senior Kimberly Carrol
- Deputy Sheriff Master Albert Booker,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Rosemarie Lewin-Bye,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Kayon Little,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Kevin Fieldgrove,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Garry Fields and,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Lee Harri.
Honorees from Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services:
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- Lieutenant Alex Armstrong,
- Driver Engineer Joseph Wilson,
- Firemedic Senior Austin Franklin,
- Firemedic Senior Michael Nerroth, and
- Firefighter/EMT Devin Smith.
Kim to be new member of Gwinnett Place CID board
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners have appointed Alice Kim, financial director of Nam Dae Mun Farmer’s Market in Duluth to serve on the Gwinnett Place CID board of directors. Kim is replacing long-time CID board member and County appointee June Lee, who resigned from her appointment earlier this month. With more than 20 years of experience leading Nam Dae Mun’s financial strategy, Kim has been instrumental in the company’s expansion, with eight Georgia locations. Kim holds a B.A. in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has completed coursework at Georgia State University. She and her family are residents of Gwinnett County.
Peachtree Corners wins health wellness grant
The City of Peachtree Corners has once again been awarded the Health Wellness Grant from the GMEBS Life and Health Insurance Fund. This marks the second consecutive year the city has received this recognition and support for its employee wellness initiatives.
For 2025, the city has been awarded $3,000—an increase of $500 from last year’s grant. Half of the award has already been distributed, with the remaining funds to be released in early 2026 following completion of the Mid-Year Wellness Report.
The Health Wellness Grant program supports organizations that go above and beyond in promoting workplace wellness and cultivating a healthy, supportive culture. As part of the grant, the city has designated Jennifer Bonacci as its Health Wellness Champion, tasked with coordinating targeted wellness activities in partnership with the Georgia Municipal Association.
