FAST FIVE: Martha 'Marty' McCain: Growing up Art on the Green
Meet Martha "Marty" McCain, retired office manager, pre-school teacher, nurse and eternal volunteer at Art on the Green. Her parents, Jack and Liz Steve, were Co-founders of this amazing festival 55 years ago, bringing the arts to the forefront of our beautiful, diverse community. Along with art those many years ago, her mom and a couple of friends felt they needed some food options for the patrons, so they started the "Food Court" 54 years ago, cooking 250 hot dogs on the old tennis courts at McEuen. The next year the festival moved to grounds of our quaint North Idaho College where we are today.
1) What does Art on the Green mean to you?
I have been involved with Art on the Green for some 40 years. Each year, our small group of core volunteers, come together to give our community a few days of fun, entertainment, good food and drink. Seeing the smiling faces, enjoying the camaraderie, being inspired by some amazing art, seeing old friends that I only see once a year…
2) What do you do as a volunteer, and when/how did you get involved?
My folks, being co-founders, introduced me to the wonders of the festival. My mom started the "food court" 54 years ago and so over the years, retired office manager, pre-school teacher, nurse and eternal volunteer at Art on the Green. Her parents, Jack and Liz Steve, were co-founders of this amazing festival 55 years ago, bringing the arts to the forefront of our beautiful, diverse community. Along with art those many years ago, her mom and a couple of friends felt they needed some food options for the patrons, so they started the "food court" 54 years ago, cooking 250 hot dogs on the old tennis courts at McEuen. The next year the festival moved to grounds of our quaint North Idaho College where we are today.
3) Why does North Idaho need a vibrant arts community?
With so many distractions in our world today, it is important to have a few days where people can come and just breathe, fill their senses with everything festival. It is also important to introduce our younger generations to the wonders of the arts, inspire their creativity, We want to see this festival continue for generations to come as we have enjoyed it for the past four generations.
4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
As much as I love being with everyone, seeing old friends, etc. I'm most happy in the behind-the-scenes role from putting this all together every year to hospitality for the vendors and patrons. I especially enjoy the early mornings, getting ready for the day, enjoying a cup of coffee with the artists on the grounds.
5) Who are a few of your favorite artists, local or otherwise, and how does their work speak to you?
I am inspired by the many diverse artists and entertainers we have there from our community and area. I love that we celebrate our local artists and musicians this way, but my favorite artists are the children in the Children's Art Garden. I love watching their young minds and hands create their "masterpieces." I have also seen some pretty amazing works from high school students and young adults in our community. They are our future and if their art is an indication of our future with this festival, it is a bright future indeed.
