Updated with information on next Wednesday’s GiveBIG day event benefiting local arts organizations.

By Juliet Brewster

I am visiting friends in New York City this week, so I will keep this brief even though I could go on for days about the art scene here.

I spent the better part of Tuesday on the Lower East Side han ging out in a “pop-up gallery” where an old roommate is managing the front desk for his friend’s month-long art show.The paintings, photographs and pen drawings were just about the only furnishings in the tiny space, besides Philip’s table and a Macbook on the floor playing some kind of ambient soundscape. The concept of a “pop-up” was something new to me—the artist had paid for a month’s rent on the empty storefront for his one-time exhibition in order to gain exposure for his work without subjecting it to an established gallery owner’s curative editing and commission fees. I hope one of you artists reading the column is getting an inspiration—this kind of independence and initiative is something I would love to see more of in the Edmonds arts culture!

Short column this week, just a few announcements and then on to the Artwalk…

Don’t Forget! The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG Day is coming up this Wednesday, May 15. The Seattle Foundation has promised to match a percentage of every dollar given to over 14,000 non-profits in the Seattle area. Edmonds Center for the Arts, Olympic Ballet Theater, the Edmonds Public School’s Foundation, Edmonds Community College Foundation, and Holy Rosary Parish are included on this list. And Arista Wine Cellars has promised an additional $1 on top of every $5 donated to ECA to stretch gifts even further. Give if you can on Wednesday to support these wonderful organizations in our town!

Applause Studio in Mill Creek is bringing their production of “Alice in Wonderland” to the Wade James Theater this weekend. A wild and zany musical for all ages, this show promises to delight! Friday the 10th at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $5 for kids and $8 for seniors, and can be purchased at the box office of the Wade James Theater at 950 Main St.

Cascade Symphony Orchestra’s May Concert will be presented Monday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the ECA. Pianist Allan Dameron is the featured soloist, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Dameron is the pianist and conductor for the Pacific Northwest Ballet and has played extensively in the U.S. and abroad. There are only a few tickets left online <www.edmondscenterforthearts.org>, so act fast! Season tickets for CSO’s 2013-14 season also go on sale Monday.

The Sculptor’s Workshop Spring Pottery Sale will be held this weekend, May 10-11 in the Frances Anderson Center’s Edmonds Arts Festival Museum Gallery. The Sculptor’s Workshop is a pottery cooperative that has been functioning for over 40 years. The 19 current members will be at the gallery over the weekend, selling their “Into the Garden” themed works, which will be on display through June 4. Functional and beautiful, these ceramics make great gifts for Mother’s Day! (Shout out to MK!)

Edmonds Art Walk

Thursday, May 16, 5-8 p.m.

Stunningly Strange Gallery’s co-owner and resident artist Kaitlin Phillips Goodey is displaying her drawings from The Family Strange, inspired by circus characters.

The work of 15 EDGE graduates is featured at the ArtsNOW Gallery in the Edmonds Conference Center.

Lifelong friends Kimi J. Hansen and Kari Schertzinger enter into a visual dialogue exploring their artistic relationship at ArtWorks.

Constance Perenyi’s animal collages at The Papery.

“Boodlebags”—Angela Anderson’s vinyl-laminated cotton canvas bags—will be on sale at HouseWares.

Can’t wait for the Bird Fest this September? Check out Jan Viney’s exquisite photographs of birds at Edward Jones or Finn Garaas’s photographs of birds in motion at Reliable Floor Coverings.

Bringing a doggie date? Do your canine friend (and yourself) a favor and stop by Arista Wine Cellars for Helju Coder’s Welcome Waggin’ gourmet dog treats and be sure you see Patty Forte Linna’s Doggie Divas paintings at Cole Gallery.

…and much more! For a full list and map, visit www.edmondsartwalk.org or pick up a paper copy at any participating Edmonds location.

Artfully Edmonds columnist Juliet Brewster, an Edmonds native and Edmonds-Woodway High School graduate, has a degree in literature from Bennington College. To have your arts happening listed, email her at brewster.juliet@gmail.com.