Let There Be Light!

The Phoenix Theatre needs new lights for its sixth season of “comedy without all the drama!” The old lights in the theater generate an unpredictable amount of heat and an irritating humming noise. If Phoenix Theatre reaches its goal of $10,000, it will be able to purchase new lighting that will cost much less in the long run, create a more comfortable atmosphere, and allow the theater greater creative flexibility. Phoenix Theatre would also like to use part of the funds raised to increase the stipend allotted to its designers and technical support. A generous supporter of the theater has promised to match all donations up to $2,500—so if enough theater fans contribute, Phoenix Theatre can easily reach the halfway mark, and begin updating the lights! There is currently a deal on Amazon Local for a set of season tickets to the Phoenix Theatre for only $55 ($92 value). If you’re a regular theatre-goer, or plan to be, consider donating the $37 you save on season tickets to the Let There Be Light fundraising campaign. The Phoenix Theatre’s sixth season kicks off at the end of the month, debuting the play “God’s Favorite” by Neil Simon the night of Aug. 30.

Third Thursday Art Walk

The last Third Thursday of the summer brings demonstrations, performances and more by a wide range of artists. From student potters to nationally recognized muralists, there is something for everybody at the Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk.

Andrew Morrison, whose distinctive black-and-white Native American murals decorate many Mountlake Terrace buildings and Indian Heritage/Cultural Centers in Seattle and Chicago, will be presenting his mixed-media works at Fabric of Life. Morrison calls his work “an investment” intended to “stimulate thought, motivate action, and continue to be a bright light shining into this dream of a world.” Andrew has an alter ego, Ziplok (because he believes in keeping it fresh), whose graffiti and hip hop contribute to the investment in clubs and alleyways all over the country. Morrison will be joined at Fabric of Life by Burke & Davenport’s decorated gourds.

Andy Eccleshall has a series of breathtaking weather-inspired paintings that he will be sharing at Cole Gallery alongside Michael Maczuga’s portraits of American children of all ethnic backgrounds.

Stunningly Strange Gallery will feature the works of “joyful despair” by painter Kendra Binney. Pastel washes make otherwise cruel and despairing scenes gentle and endearing. Binney creates a friction of pleasant violence in these attractive and confounding paintings.

Bansai8 Creations brings handcrafted leather goods to Otherworlds, where the theme for August is based on Joss Whedon’s cult television series “Firefly.” (If you’re looking to lose an afternoon to Netflix and the phrase “space western” holds some appeal to you…I highly recommend the short-lived show.)

Gallery North is holding the final event for the summer-long plein air festival, with the culminating juried show and artist exhibition celebrating the outdoor efforts of 35 Edmonds artists.

The Edmonds Bookshop welcomes student artist Renee Owen, showing her best work in painting and ceramic art (so far!). Come see the work of a talented artist finding her voice.

Sarah Ignatenko is a Seattle-based soap-maker. She will be selling her soaps at RBC Wealth Management on Thursday. Inspired by her education in the culinary arts, Sarah began combining natural ingredients to make soap safe for every skin type. She tests a bar of soap from every batch on herself, her husband, and her 3-year-old son before making the batch available to the public.

Lee Zimmerman is an internationally-acclaimed performance artist, whose silk paintings come to life before the audience’s eyes. Zimmerman will be at ARTSpot on Thursday from 5-8, painting in concert with improvisational guitarist Scott Burnett. Zimmerman finds joy in the physical act of creating a painting, and thrives on the wonder of a live audience. He invites his audience to participate by giving him subject matter, either improvised at the event, or tweeted to him at @zim2918.

Enjoy more paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and original music in nearly every downtown Edmonds storefront from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday the 15th. The Art Walk tends to overlap with many of Edmonds’s Happiest Hours—check out Janette Turner’s Happy Hour Round-up to plan your evening.

– By Juliet Brewster

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.