As part of this Thursday’s Edmonds Art Walk, the Arts Now/Edmonds Conference Center will hold a free “Environmental Still Life” artist reception featuring photography by Jacob Smithers, from 5-8 p.m.

“It’s interesting how as people we change so much as the years go by, but deep down we retain a strong sense of self and that core of who we are tends to stay the same, ” said Smithers, who often uses aged structures and nature as his subject matter. The photographs border between figurative and abstract; they close in and capture patterns and textures of rural subjects.

“When I first began framing photographs in conventional frames, I felt they detracted from the photographs rather than complimenting them,” he said. “I recognized this imperfection in my process and longed for a solution. One day as I was walking down the street I noticed a pile of junk. In the pile there was an old cooler window, the kind bartenders pulled sodas out of in the ’50s, and I thought to myself, ‘I bet I could frame a photo in there’.” Indeed, Smithers uses antique frames and other materials with minimal alterations or repairs.

Smithers was born in the Seattle area, majored in environmental science at Seattle University and studied under Photographic Center Northwest and Seattle University’s Claire Garoutte. He continues to work with several non-profit organizations, harmonizing his love for photography and community.

The collections will be displayed in the gallery until Friday, Aug. 10.

In addition, refreshments will be available and live music will be provided by The Jazz Pearls: Ashley Webster, Morgan Gilkeson, and Louise Uriu.