International festival to return

MIRROR GLITTERS IN THE SUN from one wall and strange colorful beasts stand mid-prowl among the summer ryegrass. Brick structures unlike anything anywhere and random columns plated in a rainbow of broken tiles draw stares from passengers in nearly every passing car.

A few drivers stop so they can examine the Harding Family Center’s fascinating public art park. Barb Scarth and Kathy Colton wanted more to stop, so they provided a reason for those people who won’t give in to their curiosity. They throw a summer festival with music, international foods, art, crafts and storytelling.

“I love this play space,” Kathy says. “It’s so rewarding to be able to use it.”

They call the event Natsu Matsuri – summer festival in Japanese. Kathy wanted a name that suggests international participation. Barb, who worked in the center’s Even Start adult literacy program, organized an indoor international celebration in September 2002 for families in her program. Last year, Barb decided the event should include the community and move to Harding’s budding art park.

“Part of the mission of that play space is to provide space for gatherings and performances,” Barb says. “Last spring I knew it was ready.”

She called Kathy, a folk and blues singer and songwriter and friend. Kathy has performed at festivals throughout the Northwest, in coffeehouses and for plenty of benefits. Kathy also was a fan of the art park that seemed to her straight out of a major metropolis’ inner city. She planned to perform in the art park as soon as it had a stage. When Barb called, the stage was in. It was just awaiting a roof.

The transformation of the former Harding Elementary School’s neglected playground began three years ago. The old school had closed and Head Start and related programs had moved into the brick buildings. Evenings and weekends, the new Harding Family Center offered community meeting space, dances and gatherings of all sorts.

When several creative minds in Coeur d’Alene came up with a plan for a public art park, Doug Fagerness, director of Harding’s Head Start program, offered his center’s old playground. Work began under the center’s 200-year-old Ponderosa pines in June 2001. The idea wasn’t to create a showcase for artists but to stimulate imaginations, encourage contemplation and invite wonder.

From the start, the art park met its goal. Spokane artist Harold Balazs built a wondrous brick fort that belongs in a children’s fantasy. San Diego artist Kim Emerson studded Harold’s work in colorful tile. Kids and adults helped design, build and paint creatures, columns, tables, benches and planters. Everything was touchable, climbable, playable. Huge exposed concrete culverts and rolling grass hills just increased the fun.

A stage, though, added dimension to the art park. Kathy couldn’t wait to put it to use at the first Natsu Matsuri last year and draw the public to Harding with a wealth of local talent. To stick with the international theme Barb had started, Kathy lined up belly dancers, as well as Hawaiian and Peruvian dancers. Other musicians offered jazz, bluegrass, folk, blues and favorites.

Kathy and Barb convinced stores and restaurants to set up booths and sell cookies, Japanese fried rice, Greek salads, Italian bread and more.

More than 150 people wandered into Harding for the first Natsu Matsuri. This year, Barb and Kathy expect more.

The second Natsu Matsuri is Saturday, from noon to 9 p.m. Kathy has lined up eight performers, including the Coeurimba marimba band, Effervescent Smoothie jazz duo and Kathy Colton and the Reluctants.

Food vendors will offer international variety. Harding’s doors will open for tours. The center’s library offers a good selection of multicultural resources students – domestic and foreign exchange – may want to explore. Papier-mâché artist Rhea Giffin, painter Denise Bartlett and Harold Balazs will exhibit art.

And the mosaic growing on Harding’s west wall will sparkle, streamers will fly from Harold’s new archway and imaginations will soar.

Harding Family Center is at 411 N. 15th St. in Coeur d’Alene. Admission to Natsu Matsuri is free.