In an exclusive interview with interim director for the Art Walk, Denise Cole (owner of Cole Gallery on 5th Avenue), Artfully Edmonds has learned that “wonderful momentum” continues for this monthly Edmonds event.

In its survey of Edmonds’ galleries and shops planning to participate in this evening’s Art Walk, I noted a fresh synergy and exciting changes on the horizon the arts community invested in this perennial event.

One exciting change implemented this past month for businesses participating in Art Walk is a direct artist-to-business matching process. Using the website, “Edmonds Artist Studio Tour” businesses are now able to independently preview the work of local Northwest artists and invite them to exhibit in their space without being brokered, as in the past.

According to Cole, this direct-to-the-artist relationship allows galleries, boutiques, and shop owners to build an independent relationship and match with artists that align with a shopkeeper’s business (like kid-oriented art for kid-oriented shops!)

Cole believes that visitors to April’s Art Walk will agree that the walk is “better than ever” as spring arrives and businesses open their doors to the public.

Beginning at 5 p.m. participating businesses will welcome residents and out-of-town visitors for a stroll along Main Street and down 5th Avenue to sip bubbly, nibble at treats and view art, jewelry and hand-crafts that galleries and shop owners have chosen for this evening’s event.
So! Without further ado, an invitation to visit is extended to you from these downtown Edmonds businesses for the April Art Walk:

Galleries and Stops Along Main Street

Red Petal Cakes
321 Main St.

Get an early start on Art Walk and grab a jolt of coffee from Red Petal Cakes before you begin your preview this month’s gallery offerings. Red Petal is featuring the work of artist Jessica Trainor.

Open til 6 pm.
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ZINC Art + Interiors
102 3rd Ave. S.

Art Walk Hours: 5-9 p.m.
Zinc Art + Interiors, a modern art and design gallery will be showing the work of owner Laura Zeck whose motto is, “making your world FUN to live in”.

Zeck describes her work as “color, layering, pattern and metaphor examining relationships within the natural world – more specifically the secret life of seeds.”

To learn more about Zeck and her new-to-Edmonds art gallery visit zincartinteriors.com
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Stunningly Strange Gallery
407 Main St.

“Inspiring a creative and playful lifestyle with imaginative art!” is the mission of Stunningly Strange Gallery’s co-owner Kaitlin Phillips Goodey.

Goodey, avowed owlaholic, admits she is inspired by the odd little stories and weird character traits that make people unique individuals. I strive to add those perfect little stories and funny details to all of my artwork.”

For Art Walk this month Goodey will be welcoming jewelry artist Brenda McGowan to her gallery. When asked how she chose the Cashmere, Wash. native as her featured artist Goodey explained that she met Brenda at a Wenatchee trade fair last year and fell in love with her sterling and gold-plated pieces. “If I am buying an artist’s pieces to wear for myself, it’s only natural that I would want to offer the same unique and inspiring pieces to my customers.”

Do you Facebook? Then, make friends with Goodey and follow her events at www.facebook.com/StunninglyStrange
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Rogue
524 Main St.

Regular Hours:
Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sun. Noon – 4 p.m.

Rogue Boutique proprietor, Kimberly Koenig, welcomes art lovers to her fun and fashion shop, newly opened on Main and just doors away from Epulo Bistro.

Koenig shows off her eye for design and detail with specially chosen items from Etsy artists, Pacific Northwest jewelers and fashions from Boho Republic.

For April’s Art Walk, Koenig has selected jeweler Robin Westbrook of “Not June’s Jewelry” to showcase. Westbrook’s designs can be previewed here.

To follow Rogue on Facebook go to www.facebook.com/boutiquerogue

(Extended hours for Art Walk.)
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MaJe Gallery
409 Main St.

Open until 8 p.m. for Art Walk!

“Classic!” “Awesome!” “Lovely!” These are just some of the adjectives used by patrons of MaJe Gallery as they describe the pieces at Manja Vee’s gallery on Main St.

This month the gallery/fine gift shop is featuring the work of Iranian born jewelry artist, Nakisa Karimi and her “very beautiful Persian-inspired jewelry,” Manja tells Artfully Edmonds.

Stay up with what’s happening at MaJe Gallery on Facebook.

Randall J. Hodges Fine Art Photography Gallery
317 Main St.

Art! Classes! And wonderful, inspirational world-renowned photography.

Randall J. Hodges invites you to stop by his studio during April Art Walk – and throughout the week.

Look through Hodges’ varied photography class offerings, or go to his Facebook page to see what events and outings that the much published photographer has upcoming.
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Gallery North
401 Main St.

“It’s Lyrical” at Gallery North this month!

Lyrical patterns with lost and found edges permeate the work of Kathleen A Johnson of Two Crows Studio. Kathleen will be the featured artist at Gallery North throughout the month of April 2014. The show “In Our Backyard” features some of her favorite subjects, birds, trees, and flowers. Kathleen is happy to have her art studio in scenic Edmonds. “An artist doesn’t need to travel to find great subject matter.” An award-winning painter, Kathleen A. Johnson is sometimes called “the crow lady” because crows are often featured in her paintings. Her art business, Two Crows Studio, is even named for these intelligent animals. “I have always had an interest in birds, particularly crows,” she says. “Birds can help us maintain our connection to nature.” says Kathleen.

Gallery North, a cooperative gallery where the art of over twenty artists is exhibited each month, invites you to come in and enjoy the art, the refreshments. The gallery’s artists say of their work, “Serving up local art treats hand-crafted for you by local artists in the heart of Downtown Edmonds.”

Gallery North is open seven days a week!
Sundays through Fridays ~ 11 – 5 p.m.
Saturdays ~ 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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ARTspot
408 Main St.

Classes! Supplies! Whimsy and more – all featured at the vibrant, colorful art supply and studio to twenty-two local artists who are featured on the studio’s website.

For Kids!! Artfully Edmonds is a big fan of ARTspot’s “No School Friday” classes for kids. And on Friday, April 23 – guess what?! No school for the Edmonds School District kids. Lynn Scott will be teaching her Printmaking class between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., with a registration fee of $40.

In the meantime, ARTspot continues to be a popular and super fun setting for those strolling the galleries for the Art Walk. Make sure t add a stop at this art supply store (and more!) this evening.

For more information about ARTspot classes for kids go to their website https://artspot.squarespace.com/youth-classes/
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Aria Studio Gallery
535 Main St.

Featuring the work of local award-winning artist, Joan E. Archer and well-known photographer, Leah K. Goodwin.

Gallery Hours:
Tuesdays ~ 1 – 8 p.m.
Wednesdays ~ 1 – 5 p.m.
Thursdays ~ 11 – 6 p.m.
Fridays ~ 1 – 5 p.m.
Saturdays ~ Noon – 4 p.m.
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Galleries and Stops Along 5th Avenue

Cole Gallery
107 5th Ave. S.

Open until 8 p.m. for the April Art Walk

“Urban Energy” is the theme of Cole Gallery’s showing this month and we can appreciate that sentiment as the weather grows warmer and Edmonds’ neighbors stroll the downtown sidewalks, greeting one another.

Cole Gallery says about this month Art Walk event and Artist’s Reception: “City lights, busy streets, cafes and people walking and riding around town. . .we are excited to present “Urban Energy”. Come meet our artists and enjoy champagne and desserts.”

Featured artists for Cole Gallery’s April showing include Sandy Byers, Jennifer Diehl, William Houston, Katya Minkina, and Iris Scott.

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Otherworlds Gallery
203 5th Ave. S. Suite 2, Edmonds

Steampunk – and more! Otherworlds Gallery is a time capsule – a Wonderland of the compelling, the unusual, the fascinating. From black lace and crinolines to top hats and aviator glasses – you’ll find it all. This gallery is a carnival of antique and and antique-like objects, including fortune telling cards, timepieces, and dueling pistols – go back in time or jettison to the future in this kaleidoscope of wondrous delights.

Open late for Art Walk! So come in and meet owners Brynn Watson and Ahren Paulson.

Regular Hours: Wednesdays – Mondays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
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Red Twig Bakery Cafe
117 5th Ave. S.

Tonight ~ 5-8 p.m.

As you complete your gallery rounds head south down 5th Avenue away from The Fountain to enjoy Red Twig Bakery’s delectable treats, take in the café’s art selections, and join the audience as talent steps up to the microphone for the Art Walk.

In other words – make Thursday “An Edmonds Kind of Day!”
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— By Emily Hill

Emily Hill is an author and long-time resident of Edmonds. She is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or venue featured, in Artfully Edmonds, Emily invites you to contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com