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Art on the Green
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CDA Press, August
2005
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 There
aren’t too many around here who remember the very first Art on the
Green, which took place on the city’s tennis courts. And that’s fine.
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Members of the
nonprofit Citizen’s Council for the Arts probably prefer that when
people think of Art on the Green, they’ll think it always has been
directly behind North Idaho College, in a nicely shaded park with
plenty of room for artists, food, musicians and visitors. Because it
didn’t start out that way.
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The 1968 event at
the courts was hot and crowded, and there were even reports of the
exhibitor’s paintings running due to the strong sunlight and warm
court surface. From then to now, Art on the Green has turned into one
of the area’s premiere cultural events, attracting artists and
visitors from around the Inland Northwest. More than 140 artists
typically set up booths, selling everything from glass and ceramic
products to unique toys, musical instruments and clothing. There is
also regular singing, dancing and performing all three days on a north
stage and south stage. Much of the performances are by local artists.
There’s even wandering performers like fencers, and the “Dancing
Duckman” who stroll about the grounds to entertain children and adults
alike. Organizers even have set up an area where people can purchase
inexpensive works, the “Clothesline Booth,” where original artwork
from well-known and emerging artists is priced from $5 to $50 Artists
can enter their matted unframed originals without an entry fee at the
booth before 11 a.m. on opening day.
The 37th annual Art on the Green runs Friday through Sunday. It is
again sponsored and organized by the CCA, which each year enlists the
help of more than 500 volunteers. Volunteers take care of everything
from preparing and serving food to take-down. Some of the volunteers
have been in the same positions for years, but they’re always joined
by new volunteers eager to do whatever they can to make the event
another success.
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There is also a kids
area, where young artists can try their hands at painting or
other fun projects.
Visitors can also see the juried area where some of the Northwest’s
top artists vie for top honors.
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CCA also ties in Art
on the Green with other cultural events in the community, including
Art Shop, a week- long program for children, a writer’s workshop for
adults, the Summer Arts Institute and the Lake City Young Artists and
Writers Workshop. Money raised from Art on the Green goes to all these
programs plus Art in the Schools, which helps with arts curriculum in
Kootenai County schools, and to buy artwork from the juried show each
year.
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CCA also co-sponsors
other programs with different groups in the community, including the
Spokane Symphony, which regularly offers a special concert especially
for children; arid North Idaho College’s Corner Gallery.
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People interested in
CCA and the history of Art on the Green can get more information on
the Internet at www.artonthegreen.org or find a copy of “Art on the
Green: A Celebration of Art and Community in the West,’ a
collection of stories, photos festival information, and general
memories.
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