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Hardin Park Elementary Hosts International Art Night and Fundraiser on Friday, April 4 from 5-8 p.m.

by Madison V. Fisler 

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Ryan Abram of ABRAMS LaB will be on hand to demonstrate his Tesla Coils to the children.

April 3, 2014. International Art Night at Hardin Park, hosted by Hardin Park Elementary School, is a celebration of creative expression from all around the world including artwork, food, crafts, culture, performance and even a silent auction fundraiser. 

The event, held on April 4 from 5-8 p.m., is Hardin Park Elementary School’s second largest fundraiser of the year that is held every spring. 

“We try to bring a lot of art, culture, crafts and performances for the kids,” said Courtney Morrison, co-chair of the planning committee and parent of a Hardin Park Elementary Student. 

Cultural performances will be held in the gym including kung fu, traditional Indian music, Zumba, student cultural performances, Mexican folk dancing and more. 

In the school’s cafeteria, there will be an international food tasting exhibit with dishes from students’ cultural heritages along with live music provided courtesy of The Dashboard Hula Boys. 

In the hallways around the school, an exhibition of artwork by the students will be on display, along with stations for crafts including Mexican button making, flag making, fan making, origami and looming. 

The event will also feature demonstrations by Abrams LaB.

“ABRAMS LaB is devoted to Tesla coil art and high voltage art including sci-fi props, steampunk art, Tesla coil demo, low-voltage energized oscillators that are safe for kids,” said Ryan Abram, owner of ABRAMS LaB.

“We sell wireless power transmission Tesla Coil kits for children and adults. We focus on informing the world about Nikola Tesla and his inventions that changed the world.”

“It is important to open the kids’ minds to other cultures,” Morrison said. “We are limited a lot to the different cultures, and this is an opportunity to expose them to as much cultural diversity and traditions as we can.”

The event will also serve as a fundraiser to raise money for Hardin Park’s playground.

“Hardin Park serves the whole community through the snow day program and the special needs program,” Morrison said. “We are trying to get a new playground and we will be raising money to help pay for that. We hope to raise $5,000 this year.”

Items in the silent auction include tickets to area attractions, gift certificates to local restaurants and much more.