festivals The Harmony Arts Festival: A Success Story by Colleen Reed Once upon a time there was a charming and creative little waterfront village. The people who lived in the village were happy in (he summer because they could swim at the beach, catch fish, climb mountains, and go lo great restaurants. The people who lived there loved to party and they celebrated a community day, a hoedown and a day for the local fish. There were also many artists who lived in this village. They were happy because they lived in such a lovely setting and were inspired by the natural beauty of the place. No one could say if there were so many artists in this town because it was such a pretty place or if it became so picturesque because of all the artists who lived there. In any case, the artists were happy about working and living in the village, but they were sad too. They were sad because not many of their neighbors knew they were such talented artists. The artists in this little village got together and decided lhat lots of places have beaches, fish and mountains, and what would make people come from all around would be a festival of art. With this festival, the artists would be able to show off their work to their neighbours (perhaps even in the store windows), show everyone thing, and maybe even sell some art so that they could pay their bills. The artists started talking about their idea and the storekeepers thought it would be a great way to get people walking along the streets, looking into their shops to see their wares. The local businesses also wanted to remind the people that there were charming shops in the little village, so there was no reason to go all the way to the big city. The big city had very expensive parking lots. So the artists and the businesses decided to help each other. They wanted to live in harmony with one another and they wanted to sell their goods. They decided to have a week-long celebration to show the people in the village just how special they were and they decided to call it the Harmony Arts Festival. A committee was formed to raise money and plan Lhe festival. So, back in 1991, they celebrated the first Harmony Arts Festival. People came from all over the land to celebrate. Then in 1992 they did an even betler job and got lots of media attention. There were free concerts in the parks and musicians playing in the restaurants. Thousands of people filled lhe beach at sunset to hear the sound of a cappella groups, jazz quartets and South American beats. The whole of Saturday was set aside for kids. This was called Creative Kids Day, and over 1000 kids and their folks showed up to make crafts, play African drums, and watch performers. It was great fun! A l l of the shops had works of art in their windows, all very nicely displayed. Hundreds of people strolled along the main street "an gallery," looking at the art and they felt proud of the talent in their own community. In Lhe parks, more than 50 artists worked outside, showing everyone how to carve, paint and draw. On the final day of the festival, there was a grand finale art auction of all the works done by the artists who had worked all week in the parks. Many people left that day with their first purchase of real art. ArtBeat has been an integral visual component of the Harmony Arts Festival since its inception in 1991. The idea for a North Shore festival was first proposed by West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager after visit lo California. He was so impressed by the scope and energy of the festivals he attended there that when he returned, he presented the idea to the Parks and Recreation Department. They in turn took it to the Department of Cultural Services. Over time, the idea evolved and emerged as a showcase for North Shore talent in the realm of the arts. With the support of the Municipality and the participation of approximately 70 merchants and almost as many artists, ArtBeat comes to life for seven days and seven nights during the Harmony Arts Festival. It is a visual extravaganza that fits one definition of public art--art which is accessible to all. ArtBeat provides lhe opportunity for merchants and artisis to work together within the community in a mutually beneficial relationship--it is a symbiosis thai recognizes and meets the needs of both parties. ArtBeat offers amateur and established artisis the chance to exhibit their work side by side in store windows. Elementary schoolchildren also get to show their work, in the shops leading towards John Lawson Park, which is lhe location for Creative Kids Day on Saturday, August 14. ArtBeat is successful because o f the assistance of literally hundreds o f volunteers. A s well as sitting on and advising for various committees, volunteers also matte windows with paper "frames," coordinate, display and finally dismantle windows the day after the festival. A s with many arts organizations, we would be incapacitated without our volunteers. To complemenl Lhe street gallery, there are biographies with information about the artist and the display artist in each window. These will allow for self-guided tours and ihere will also be organized tours leaving from the Ferry Building each morning at 11 a.m. At noon, beside lhe Ferry Building Gallery, ArtSpeaks will be presented as a series of informal talks focussing on various aspects of the arts on the North Shore. AnBeal illustrates that private dreams can become a public reality and that art does not have to be an elitist commodity viewed by only a select few. In this case, art is something to celebrate--something which can be part of all our lives! Sarah Chilvers is an advocate of public dreams and an openly wistful artist. The Art in the Park component of Harmony The moral of this story is that when the artists and lhe community work together, they can create a wonderful event for everyone to enjoy. The village of West Vancouver's first Harmony Arts Festival was such a success that the Mayor and Council agreed it should happen every year. And, because of its continued success, in M a y o f 1993, the very wise people in government gave the Harmony Arts Festival an important prize for being so good at what they do. With over 250 volunteers, 200 artists and performers, the Harmony Arts Festival will continue to grow and improve. We all hope you enjoyed it last year and that you will come out and enjoy it again this year from August 9-15 when, once again. West Vancouver will come alive with the arts. Colleen Reed is the Cultural Program Coordinator for the District of West Vancouver. She is currently on leave, but chances are you '11 catch a glimpse of her and her new daughter at the Festival West Vancouver Checks its Pulse with ArtBeat by Sarah Chilvers As the 21 st century draws to a close, ihere are certain realities which we as artists and audiences must begin to accept. Art is being recognized as part of everyone's sphere--something which has value for all of us, not just for a select few and, by extension, something which we all have the ability and lhe right to appreciate. The notion of "public art" is changing the way society looks al and appraises art. There are as many definitions for public an as there are artisis, but Wesl Vancouver's Harmony Arts Festival (August 9-15) has provided its own definition by establishing ArtBeat--a juried art walk and street gallery--as pan of its week-long festival. A n . Accc.» July/Augu.. 1993 7