Edmonds Artists: Turn Your Passion Into Real Sales

A new forum sponsored by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce will focus on how three local artists turned their passion into a real vocation.

The program, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 in Edmonds City Hall Brackett meeting room, is a project of 425 Launch, the Edmonds Chamber’s outlet for entrepreneurs.

This program on art entrepreneurship is the first of the 2012-13 season and represents a joint effort of the Arts and Culture Committee and the chamber's Economic Development Committee.

“Edmonds is blessed with an unusually large number of talented artists, from the well-established to those who can work only part-time on their craft,” said Bob Rinehart, chairman of the chamber’s committee on economic development.

“This forum will help other artists learn how to turn their passion for art and work into real art sales.”

The artists featured in the program include:

• Joanne Otness, author of two books, writing teacher at Edmonds Community College, and participant in the annual "Write on the Sound" workshop. She lives in Edmonds and is in her second term on the Edmonds Arts Commission.
• Andy Eccleshall, a successful artist for 30 years, whose murals are on displays throughout the United States. The Edmonds resident has done two murals and town and recently completed one for the Edmonds Police Department.
• Denise Cole, professional artist, teacher, co-owner of an art supplies store and operator of Cole Gallery in Edmonds.