By Janette Turner

“If someone had predicted my future,” said mosaic artist Christy Rommel in her Gallery North statement, “and said that I would be a mosaic artist one day, I would have laughed and shook my head in disbelief.” But as anyone who views her mosaics can see, Rommel is a natural talent.

“As a result of a birth accident,”said Rommel, “I am mildly affected with cerebral palsy. For me, this causes an unusual gait, balance and minor speech difficulties as well as tremors in my hands….Someone told me once that the art of mosaic is very forgiving. This, I have found to be true. The beauty of mosaic is created in the imperfection.”

And now visitors to Gallery North have the opportunity to view Rommel’s perfectly imperfect mosaics. And take her beautiful pieces as a reminder that you, too, are connected to the muse with potential to create masterpieces. Read on for opportunities to do so.

 Friday: ARTspot hosts “Land Sea Sky” for kids

Your youngster, age 7-12, is invited to play with different art media at ARTspot on no school days, Jan. 25, Feb. 8, and March 8. The classes run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and more information can be found on the ARTspot website.

Friday: ARTspot hosts Fourth Friday ART pARTies

Every fourth Friday, head to ARTspot for an evening of creativity, from 6-9 p.m. With instructor Wendy Lee Lynds, this Friday you can craft a mirror with a frame, which turns your artistic effort functional. More information is on the ARTspot website.

Friday: Royal India Cuisine features belly dancing

We may be stepping out of line here, but we keep driving past the Royal India Cuisine sign across the border in Lynnwood, and can’t resist the hypnotic artistry of belly dancing. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, if you want to see Bella Jovan perform, you need to call 425 967 3636 to reserve a table for Friday night’s show, which starts at 8:30 p.m. If you go, let us know what you think about the dancing and the Mango Coconut Cheesecake.

Saturday: ECA presents Portland Cello Project and Zoe Keating

Zoe Keating is known for layering classical cello music with technology to create the sound of an orchestra on stage. She brings her big show to Edmonds Center for the Arts on Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. See a preview from her performance at the 2011 MacWorld conference here.

As part of the same bill, Portland Cello Project will give audiences everything from Beethoven to Arvo Part to instrumental covers of Kanye West and Pantera. Listen here to a live performance from the KEXP-FM studios in Seattle. Ticket information can be found on the ECA website.

Sunday: EdCC Black Box Theatre hosts instructor Jon Hamar

The first Faculty Music Recital of the quarter takes place on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Edmonds Community College Black Box Theatre. Come hear bass instructor Jon Hamar, accompanied by piano instructor Debbie DeMiero. Open to the public, with a suggested donation of $7. More information can be found here.

Monday: EPIC Group hosts branding expert Carol Pierson Holding

Grammar, check. Meaty story, check. Branding – what’s that?

If you’ve ever wondered what the missing piece is in your fledgling writing career, it may be you need some personal branding. Come to the Edmonds Library on Monday morning to hear branding expert Carol Pierson Holding on the topic of getting your work onto the world stage. The public is invited to this free talk, and to EPIC’s Monday morning writing group, which starts at 10 a.m. Holding speaks at 11 a.m., and seating is limited. More information can be found here.

Tuesday: Sno-King Music Educators present “Middle School Honor Festival” at ECA

Do you remember long ago when you played the clarinet? And perhaps you still wonder what would have happened if someone – just one person – had encouraged you to make a career of it. Well, now’s your chance to see the effects of encouragement at this free public performance at Edmonds Center for the Arts. After a workshop, student musicians will be ready to toot their horns and charm the crowd. Doors open at 7 p.m., for the show that starts at 7:30 p.m. More information can be found on the ECA website.

Advance notice: Painting class with Julann Campbell starts Feb.

Northwest artist Julann Campbell teaches students of all levels how to “create expressive oil paintings that make a bold statement using composition, values, color, and brushwork.” Her class series, “Finding Your Voice in Oils,” runs Mondays, Feb. 4-25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ArtWorks. Register online at www.artworks-edmonds.org or call 425.774.6049. For more information, email julanncampbell “at”comcast.net.

Advance notice: Sue Gill Rose’s paintings come to Edmonds Library in Feb.

In celebration of the Chinese New Year on Feb. 10, the Edmonds Arts Commission presents a collection of paintings by Sue Gill Rose at the Edmonds Library, starting Feb. 1. The exhibition also celebrates the Lighting Enhancement Project along SR 99 in the Edmonds International District, between 238^th and 224^th streets. Rose’s artwork focuses on “fun, color, and humor in everyday life,” and more information can be found on the EAC website and Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation site.

Advance notice: Hit a high note on Valentine’s Day

“Valentine’s Day Caroling” arrives in Edmonds on Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Never heard of VD caroling? It’s when you dress in costume and belt “Hopelessly Devoted to You” around town. Don’t worry, by the time the date approaches, your skepticism will disappear because nobody can resist a corny love song. Stay tuned for details and song lists as they develop.

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 President of EPIC Writers Group, a writing teacher, and a member of the Swedish Hospital Art Committee. (Photo by Jennifer McKinney).