Denise Cole, Board President of Art Walk Edmonds (AWE), sat down this week with My Edmonds News to discuss the exciting strides that Edmonds’ monthly arts showcase is making as a newly registered Washington State non-profit, and applicant for 501(c)(3) status.

Edmonds’ popular “Third Thursday Art Walk,” established by Manya Vee and Jeff Stillwell (owners of MaJe Gallery) had been a mainstay event of downtown since 2002. In February “Third Thursday Art Walk” began the process of organizational changes that has led to the formation of Art Walk Edmonds, led by a five-member board of directors that includes Cole, owner of Cole Gallery and winner of this year’s Chamber of Commerce Arts Award for Business Leadership.

During a lengthy exchange, I was able to ask a number of questions, to which Cole offered these enthusiastic responses:

Artfully Edmonds (AE): What can the public expect from Art Walk Edmonds that contrasts with “Third Thursday Art Walk”?

Denise Cole (DC): Bigger events: Our vision is to plan themed events and promote bigger events (than Third Thursday Art Walk) that have the potential of drawing thousands of art enthusiasts and restaurant goers to Edmonds each month.

Cole explained that as a wholly independent entity, “Art Walk Edmonds is able to build on the great foundation that Manya and Jeff established”.

AE: “Themed events” sounds intriguing; please elaborate.

DC: We are still in the exploratory stages – and looking at the successes of other cities that hold art walks, events and street festivals. We are intrigued by the possibility of such events as “The Art of Chili”. Yes, chili cook-offs that would include the involvement of Edmonds’ restaurants. We would love to host a Wine Walk, as another opportunity to engage those who come out for Art Walk Edmonds. We’ve discussed the possibility of engaging our many coffee shops in competitions that would showcase the coffee-foam art of their baristas. One summer several years ago there was a demonstration of squirt gun art – that sounds fun! These are just a few of the ideas that are being explored at our meetings.

AE: It sounds like so much potential – what about the businesses farther away from the fountain or the ‘center of town’ ?

DC: Oh, they’ll definitely be included in our plan. One element that makes AWE so workable is its “walkability” – participating galleries and business are on flat terrain and within blocks of each other. But the potential of the outlying business districts is just as exciting. We would like to establish a punch-card system where in customers receive one, two, or three card-punches when they make a purchase at Art Walk Edmonds participating businesses.

The card-punches one receives could be weighted favorably for participating businesses The north boundary might be Walnut, the south would be Bell; and east and west would likely be 7th Avenue to the waterfront.
When the punch card is filled, the patron would receive a gift certificate to use at the participating business of their choice, the cost of which would be borne by AWE members.

AE: Art Walk Edmonds has covered a lot of ground in just under four months! Who are the folks involved that are coming up with these ideas?

DC: Well, the five-member board includes myself as board president; Clayton Moss (owner of FORMA) as vice president; James Spangler (owner of Re-Read Books) as treasurer; and we have two board secretaries: Kaitlin Phillips Goodey (who, along with her husband owns Stunningly Strange) and Tracy Felix (co-owner of ARTSpot, who is able to act as parliamentarian, thanks to her many years service with the League of Women Voters).

AE: Are there ways that members of the community could get involved?

DC: (Laughs) Yes! Committees are forming now. We have established an event planning committee (aka “the party committee”, and committees for fund raising, business outreach, marketing; a committee for artist development as well as a committee for administration and finance.

AE: What are the long-range goals of Art Walk Edmonds?

DC: To grow the public’s participation and engage businesses in Edmonds’ events. We would love to see an enhanced cultural vitality that showcases Edmonds as a gathering place for residents of King and Snohomish counties.

AE: Would you like to name any mentors, cheerleaders, or sponsors?

DC: Absolutely! Art Walk Edmonds is thrilled to have received sponsorship from Coldwell Banker Bain for the 300 double-sided full-color art walk flyers that we will be printing each month.

Participation? We would like to grow our artist participation to include individual artists who are intentional about showing and selling their art who have an on-line presence so that business-participants in AWE can view their work.

AE: Anything else you would like to add, Denise, for the good of the order?

DC: Yes, actually. We will need help very soon! Art Walk Edmonds is looking for a part-time director to take the helm for administration, activities planning, and to coordinate board and committee actions. If this interests you, please contact me, or a member of the Art Walk team, by calling 425-697-2787.

We are pretty excited about our new website and invite the public to visit us at www.edmondsartwalk.com

AE: Thank you, Denise.

Each month, Artfully Edmonds will highlight, in its coverage of Art Walk Edmonds, a walk route, or a common theme. These first art walk mentions were pulled from the ample list of June participants because of the unique and – dare we say it – unusual flair each guest artist, or business, offers Art Walk enthusiasts.

Watch for next month’s “selects” as we mix things up throughout the summer!

Arts Now Gallery Ed. Conf. Center – Instructors from Edmonds Community College Continuing Education department will be showing examples of their work.

Aria Studio Gallery – Join Joan E Archer and Leah K Goodwin for a night of painting, wine, and new works by the artists! Watercolor demonstration at 6:30 pm.

Arista Wine Cellars – Featuring: The Art of Wine.

Art Spot – The “Art of Jewelry” with Robin Westbrook, & Tracy Felix. These two popular artists-in-action will be working with resin to create colorful, eye-catching pieces.

Kinder Britches – Come tell your story with Origami Owl Living Lockets, personalize your locket with fun, unique charms!

Maje Gallery – Wire sculptures of charming animals by Jeanette Trudeau DEMO.

Rebekah’s Boutique – Cheryl Huffnagel showing colorful and playful button necklaces.

The Papery – Expressive henna tattoo body art by Kitty Singh. Refreshments served.

Waterfront Coffee Company – Roberto, a self taught saxophone player, and delicious chocolate tasting from Seattle Chocolates.

Windermere Real Estate – Paul Erickson, solo jazz and classical guitarist.
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Make sure to visit the following arts-supportive businesses, and Edmonds galleries along the way. Third Thursday each month is an Edmonds Kind of Day!

C’est la Vie – Featuring a whimsical variety of colorful garden art by local artists.
Champions Real Estate – Vivid Color and magical imagery from Peru painter Blanca Santander
Christopher Framing & Fine Art – Featuring Lori Aylesworth’s pastel images of Artful Nature.
Cline Jewelers – Unique Wood bowls made from Pacific Northwest Burls by artist Don Lennon.
Coldwell Banker Bain – Shirlee Russo and Pennie S. work with a variety of materials and techniques used to create artistic texture.
Cole Gallery – Marine themed watercolor paintings by Pam Harold and stunning atmospheric landscapes by Jeff White reminiscent of the great paintings of the American frontier.
Comstock Jewelers – Minimalist paintings by Frank Wieditz.
Edmonds Frame Design – David McCray shows photographs in style of Japanese sumi painting
Edmonds Realty – Oil and pastel paintings of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains by Artist, Jane Mayer
Edmonds Vision Center – Paper Mosaic Art from recycled product by artist Crystal Davis.
Edward Jones Investments – Artist Joy Rome capture my internal energy from color to canvas.
Frances Anderson Center and Library – The works of EAFF scholarship recipients Elise Butters, Erinn McGraw, Mariya Dudyshyn in EAC Display Case; EAF Poster Artist David Marty in the EAFF Gallery; and the art of Collette Laico in the Library.

Gallery North – June’s featured show: “Up in the Northwest/Down on the Baja’ featuring the works of Jolyn Wells-Moran.
Garden Gear & Gallery – Mataya Siemion, Bellingham High School freshman paints flowers, representing happiness & courage.
House Wares – Abstracted figurative work in acrylic paint by Cheryl Waale.
Interiors of Edmonds – Linda Demetre catches the mood and intensity of the moment with her impressionistic style.
Manfredini & Barnfather – “Warm & Cool – Texas to the Pacific Northwest” Landscape paintings by Kathleen Moore.
Ombu Salon – Don Dye is currently producing copper repousse’ pieces reflecting his love of nature, the Pacific NW and the vibrant colors of Hawaii.
Randall J Hodges Photography Gallery – Unforgettable Photography Of The West By Randall J Hodges Photography.
Rick Steves – David Varnau-bronze and leaded glass figurative sculptures, highlight the beauty of the human form.
Rogue – Lyons Hoyle pushes boundaries of what is thought of as suitable or conventional material for art.
Saetia – Watercolor and mixed media paintings by Deborah L Giles
Stunningly Strange Gallery – Woodland Wonders Show, art pieces of the whimsical creatures that wander the woods.
WhimSea Boutique – Photographer Drew Collins shows off his amazing underwater pictures of Puget Sound.
Zinc Art Plus Interiors – Investigating constellations of movement, artist Deirdre Murphy explores patterns, murmurs, and energy in the collective intelligence of bird flocks in her show “Murmurations”.
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Authors and Poets Podium

Thursday, June 19 ~ 7 p.m.
Alex Tizon Book Signing
Edmonds Bookshop
111 5th Ave. S.

A book signing and reading by Pulitzer prize winner Alex Tizon from his new book, “Big Little Man” will take place this evening. Edmonds Bookshop invites Art Walk enthusiasts to visit the bookstore for a quiet moment of listening to Mr. Tizon’s views and voice.

My Edmonds News had the privilege to speak with Tizon this week about his writing process, self-truths, the impact of racial stereotyping and more in this Spotlight piece:
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EPIC Awards Ceremony
June 19 ~ 7-8 p.m.
Edmonds Library
650 Main St.

You are invited to celebrate the 2014 EPIC Group award winning writers this Thursday, from 7-8 p.m., in the Edmonds Library. This year’s group of winners wrote on the theme of “Reflections.” Here are the award winners:

Adult Division
1st Place: Diane Duca /The Plastic House;
2nd Place: Joe Rice/McNess Man;
3rd Place: Aimee Macdonald/Mettle on Metal

Youth Division
1st Place: Abigal Alpers/Pictures on the Water;
2nd Place: Thomas Ghebreyesus/The Time Traveler;
3rd Place: Savannah Steffen/The Red One

The selected winners will read their work and be honored at a reception, co-sponsored by the Edmonds Library and EPIC Group Writers.

The mission of EPIC Group Writers is to support those who create, communicate and connect through cultural and artistic endeavors, especially the literary arts. EPIC Group Writers is an Associated Program of Shunpike, a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. Contributions to EPIC Group Writers are tax-deductible.

EPIC Group Writers sponsors a weekly writing group from fall through spring, talks by authors and publishers, monthly travel writing group, annual writing contest, workshops and various other literary events throughout the year.

Membership in EPIC is $25/year, is tax-deductible, and members receive discounts on workshops and other activities. Additional information is available here.
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On Stage – at Edmonds playhouses!

Phoenix Theatre
Firdale Village
9673 Firdale Ave.

Kimberly Akimbo
by playwright David Lindsay-Abaire

Friday/Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
Plays through June 22

Burst of laughter interspersed with moments of heartbreak as Kimberly Akimbo struggles through life as the girl who grows older than her parents.

Kimberly copes with her “teenage” years while contending with a hypochondriac pregnant mother, a rarely sober father, a scam-artist aunt, her own mortality and most terrifying of all, the possibility of first love.

That’s a LOT to ask of any teenager, but veteran stage-star Melanie Calderwood is up to the challenge!

Tickets for “Kimberly Akimbo” are available at this website.

More News from The Phoenix Theatre:

A Call for “General Auditions”
Sunday, June 29 ~ 3-6 p.m.
Monday, June 30 ~ 6:45-9 p.m.

The company is auditioning for all shows as they look to their 2014/2015 season. Details on how the auditions will be conducted can be found here.

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Driftwood Players
Wade James Theatre
950 Main St.
Sin, Sex, and the C.I.A.
By Michael Parker & Susan Parker

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @ 8 p.m.
Sundays @ 2 p.m.
Plays through June 29

You’ve seen the posters plastered all over town – now it’s time to slip into the darkened Wade James Theatre for “Sin, Sex, and the C.I.A.”

From the Playbill: An inept CIA agent and an Under Secretary of State are sent to a safe house in the mountains of Virginia to begin negotiations to place the Chagos Islands under U.S. protection.

Unfortunately, no one knows who the Islands’ representative really is! Hilarious misunderstandings, missed cues and unwanted romantic attentions make the delicate situation even worse.
Laugh until you cry!

Get your tickets for “Sin, Sex, and the C.I.A.” by going to this website.

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Events and News from
Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4th Ave. N.

Ballet Recitals

[Barclay Shelton Summer Revu 2014
Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
400 4th Ave.
Friday and Saturday, June 20, 21 ~ 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 22 ~ 4 p.m.

Barclay Shelton Summer Revue 2014 – Barclay Shelton Dance Centre presents the 2014 Summer Revue. There is a 12 ticket maximum per family for the first two weeks of ticket sales.
Tickets are now available at the ECA Box Office. 
The ECA Box Office phone is 425-275-9595.
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Hawaiian Summer Keiki Camp

Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) has been awarded a grant from the Harrington-Schiff Foundation to purchase 30 ukuleles for student use during its upcoming Hawaiian Summer Keiki Camp, July 21-25.

Participants (ages 7-11) of ECA’s Hawaiian Summer Keiki Camp will be the first to use this collection of ukuleles.

Hawaiian Summer Keiki Camp is a new program organized in partnership with Grammy award-winning Keoki Kahumoku, ukulele artist Kalei Gamiao*, and Edmonds’ own Kumu Hula Krista Espiritu of Hula O Lehualani (Hula School).

From July 21-25, students will explore Hawaiian culture through language, song, ukulele, hula dancing and games. They will also have the chance to join teaching artists in their public performance at ECA on the evening of Friday, July 25, showcasing the music and cultural performance pieces they have learned.

In addition to supporting the sustainability of Hawaiian Summer Keiki Camp, the Harrington-Schiff Foundation’s generous funding creates opportunities for future Hawaiian arts and cultural programming on the ECA campus. With a class-set of ukuleles in ECA’s Education & Outreach inventory, the organization will continue to develop programs that celebrate and share Hawaii’s cultural traditions, both with the younger generations of Hawaiians living in the region, as well as the broader Edmonds community.

To register for Hawaiian Summer Keiki Camp or for more information about Summer Arts Enrichment Camps at ECA, please contact Gillian Jones, Education & Outreach Manager, at gillian@ec4arts.org or 425-275-9483.
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REMINDER: Season Tickets
New-Subscriber Full Season Subscription Reservations are now being taken for the upcoming 2014-2015 season of exciting ECA events.

Attention-grabbing headliners includes more than 25 exciting, memorable, stand-up-and-cheer performances by such greats as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ((Nov. 6); “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with David Benoit (Dec. 1); Jesse Cook, guitarist (Feb. 6); and One Night of Queen (Apr. 9) ~ And a four-program Family Series for $32 that includes, among others: “Hobey Ford’s Migration” performed by internationally known puppeteer Hobey Ford; The “Kamikaze Fireflies” a troupe of fire-eating contortionists.

— 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.