By Janette Turner

Like summer, some things go by so quickly you have to pay attention, or miss the moment. ARTSplash is one of those events. Read on for that summertime highlight, along with Third Thursday Art Walk, an appearance by Scriber Lake teen writers, outdoor performances, and other notable events for the week ahead.

Summer’s bounty: ARTSplash

While it’s not as big as the Edmonds Arts Festival held in June, ARTSplash is hyper-local. Nearly 50 area artists will offer original art during the four-day event at ArtWorks, starting Thursday. Visitors will see the best of Edmonds in all media, from painting and photography to clay and jewelry, as onsite artists do demonstrations. There will also be a Tiny Treasures exhibit of mini pieces with wee prices, and a silent auction of embellished birdhouses. A portion of the event’s proceeds will help support local arts events, so shopping is encouraged. ARTSplash hours are 4-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Also on Friday, enjoy an artist reception and refreshments from 6-8 p.m.  Free. More details on the Artist Connect website.

Third Thursday Art Walk: music with your monthly art dash

“The Big Dipper” and “All of Me” will accompany guests as the Cascadia Big Band plays at the ArtsNow Gallery in the Edmonds Conference Center, Thursday, from 5 to 8 p.m., during Art Walk. Enjoy music and meet guest artist Jacob Smithers, whose timeless photographs are on display.

At Autumn’s Framing and Gallery, you’ll see fine paintings by Jacob Kohn, whose work is in public and private collections, including The Bill and Melinda Gates collection, Microsoft, Nordstrom, and the Seattle Aquarium. For people who have their children along, see if the youngsters can spot animals just below the surface of Kohn’s stunning paintings.

If you’ve walked past the new Semantics outpost on Main Street, you may have seen John Paul Morgan’s artwork in the window. On Thursday from 5-8 p.m. you have a chance to chat with the creator of these fanciful creatures at Semantics Gallery. According to Morgan’s bio, he grew up on a Central Washington sheep ranch and did graduate work at U.W. and C.W.U. He has participated in exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum and around the world and, according to the gallery’s press release, is “ranked among the very best in his profession.”

Also on ArtWalk, you can stop in Gallery North’s loft to see prints by Mary Anderson and Bonnie AuBuchon.

Interiors of Edmonds will host Shan Koenig, whose work has been exhibited at Januik/Novelty Hill Winery and Parklane Gallery in Kirkland.

ArtWalk is not just for eye candy. Lovers of the literary arts are invited to the Edmonds Bookshop on Thursday, 5-8 p.m., to meet author Jeanne Matthews. Her latest Dinah Pellerin mystery, “Bonereapers,” is a thriller set in the icy cold of Norwegian politics. https://edmondsbookshop.com/events.htm

If you see a Bat Signal in the sky during ArtWalk, it might be coming from Embellished’s “Paint Batman” event, starting at 6:30 p.m. The Caped Crusader will be depicted in Red Petal Cupcakes for the occasion, and guests at Embellished will become superhero artists for the night. Embellished’s official opening is August 16, and their website is coming soon: www.embellish-inc.com . If you would rather watch than paint, then check out the Edmonds Theater’s listings for the nearly-sold out “Batman” movie marathon.

For a complete listing and map to all 44 events making up Third Thursday ArtWalk, click here.

Swedish/Edmonds: “How to Train Your Dragon”

With a title like “How to Train Your Dragon,” you might think Swedish/Edmonds is hosting a child-rearing class, but this is actually a movie that will play on the hospital’s courtyard wall outside the second floor patio, Friday at 8:45 p.m. Bring a blanket and watch from the lawn, or in one of the chairs available for the first 200 guests. Complimentary fresh popcorn and lemonade will be served. Free.

Edmonds City Park: Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”

We’re not sure if there will be Amish mutton chops on Viola or Orsino, but we know the Seattle Shakespeare Company/Wooden O can be counted on to give a rousing show. Lucky Edmonds folk will get to see the Shakespearian company’s production of “Twelfth Night” at Edmonds City Park, Sunday, July 22, at 3 p.m. As always, bring the family, lawn chairs and perhaps a blanket. In case of rain, the show will be canceled at 2:30 p.m. (You wouldn’t want those mutton chops to get soggy). More information: www.edmondsartscommission.org.

Advance notice: Scriber Lake writers coming to Edmonds Bookshop July 26

Several Scriber Lake High School writers of “We Are Absolutely Not Okay: Fourteen stories by teenagers who are picking up the pieces,” will read from their heartbreaking true story collection on July 26 at the Edmonds Bookshop. If you haven’t seen the teens before, now is your chance to meet them and hear their amazing stories of surviving abuse, addiction and depression. One of their editors, Ingrid Ricks, will also read from her coming-of-age memoir, “Hippie Boy: A Girl’s Story.” This is one of those events that may be too big for the bookshop, so you might want to arrive early for a space. The event starts at 6 p.m.

Chamber Event: Dogs on Main on July 26

Five bucks will get you a hot dog and all the fixings, served up by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce Board on July 26, noon to 1 p.m. at the fountain on 5th and Main. Info here.

Advance notice: ECA hosts folk musician John McCutcheon

For folks who like to plan, the ECA season starts in October with a lineup including folk musician John McCutcheon. His Oct. 13 show will feature highlights from 35 years of performances and recordings. Those familiar with McCutcheon’s work claim he plays the dulcimer like it’s nobody’s business. Since many ECA shows sell out, you may want to grab your tickets now.

Advance notice: Phoenix Theatre’s 5th season

For under $100, you can grab an entire season of laughs at The Phoenix Theatre, including “The Sugar Bean Sisters,” “Sylvia,” “Dashing Through the Snow,” “Wild Dust,” “Office Hours,” and “Kaputnik.” Plays and dates may be subject to change, but it looks like the Phoenix is offering a heavy dose of funny for the money. And if you’re interested in a secret read-through of the first play of the season, check out the website here.

Arts reporter Janette Turner is your guide to local culture. In addition to covering visual, performing and literary events for My Edmonds News, Janette is managing director of EPIC Literary Series and a member of the Swedish Hospital Art Committee.   (Photo by Jennifer McKinney)