Why I’m supporting MICA at Mercerdale

There have been many passionate arguments both for and against building a Center for the Arts at Mercerdale Park, and I hope to provide a different perspective because of my unique experience as an artist and longtime member of the community.

In 2012 I launched Sing With Our Kids, a Mercer Island-based pilot project designed to promote early learning through community singing.

As a life-long performer, I had become alarmed at the changes in my audiences, from knowing fewer songs, to having shorter attention spans and lower literacy and numeracy skills. In the course of researching for and implementing this enormous project, I have seen firsthand the impact of holding singing events in public spaces, and specifically in parks.

After considering spaces all over the Island, I selected Mercerdale Park for regular family events because it is visible to anyone driving or walking by, is part of the downtown community and the park itself is anchored by the play area, skateboard park and thrift store. In other words, there are always people there.

Anyone passing by would be impacted by the sounds of families singing together, whether or not they participated.

My instinct proved to be right, and for the same reasons, I believe it would not only be the perfect place for a performing arts center, but that the entire community would benefit simply from its existence.

It’s time for Mercer Island to have a year-round central gathering place for its citizens of all ages and abilities, and it’s time to nurture both the artists and the audience.

But it has to be a visible and integral part of the community. It has to become part of our everyday lives, and include public outdoor space. Mercerdale Park is not only the perfect location, it is the only location that fits the bill.

As a father passionately said to me after a family sing-along at the park, “This is what I want for my children.”

And I would add, this is what I want for my community.

Nancy Stewart, professional singer-songwriter

Resident since 1981