ARTspot encourages bravery, and tries to make art accessible to everyone. It’s a place that gives you the permission to explore and play, and their mission is to bring high quality materials to artists of all levels — even beginners. Owner Tracy Felix Fraker is positive, inspiring and an incredibly talented visionary with a passion for the creative process, and her store is an embodiment of her beliefs. As the Edmonds art community continues to grow, ARTspot is an excellent addition to the downtown area — a place to purchase, learn, look at the art Edmonds has become known for and dream about your own future projects.
June 2014 marked the two-year anniversary of ARTspot’s opening. Since the beginning, one of Tracy’s favorite aspects has been being a part of — and supporting — the artist’s process. She believes that using professional materials produce the results artists are seeking. Her gentle guidance allows them to examine their creations — past, present and future. She asks them, “Is it purposeful? Is it meaningful?”
ARTspot is also a place to take classes. Young or old, the offerings are excellent, and the teaching team outstanding.
The studio space is safe and sacred. The content of classes is as varied as the artists that teach them. Fall brings a wonderful selection of classes for adults: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain with Kim Brayman, Encaustic Photo Blocks with Lisa Jones Moore, Travel Journals in Watercolor with Pam Harold and Introduction to Acrylics with Tracy Felix Fraker — to name a few. ARTspot’s website keeps an ongoing list and descriptions of events, lectures and classes
for adults and youth. It is constantly evolving, and new classes are added regularly.
While instruction is a portion of ARTspot’s business, it is often the product that draws people into the store. The lively displays and obviously top-notch materials make you yearn to play, draw, paint and mold. It’s hard to walk by without pausing to smile at the presentation of creativity that greets window shoppers and community members who wander by. The space is inviting and warm.
When finding inventory for the store, Tracy has some criteria beyond quality that speak to her personal values: products must be local, US made and environmentally conscious. If she is unable to find US, she still looks for smaller vendors and companies who uphold these standards. You’ll find brands like Gamblin, Golden, and Daniel Smith, and artist essentials and favorites that include gelli plates, brushes, canvases, touch markers, pencils, pens and paper. If you want to learn a new medium or learn how to use a particular product — ask. The store is staffed by artists, and they want customers to try new things. ARTspot represents many media and the selection is very good.
Tracy features local artists in the store as well. Customers get a taste of what projects are possible through the classes, and are able to purchase items as well. Jewelry, paintings, and
sculpture are for sale.
Expect to see more from ARTspot in the future, it seems that Tracy’s think tank is constantly producing. She considers new ideas all the time, and there are constantly plans brewing. She dreams of non-profits for art in public schools, a Little Free Library stocked solely with art books, an ongoing mural wall and fundraisers. She has already started an ARTspot cinema night and an Edmonds Art Studio Tour preview at ARTspot during the September Edmonds Art Walk.
“Art is the ultimate expression of our humanity. Everyone should have access,” Tracy said. Well she and co-owner Denise Cole have given our area access to art — to create it, be brave with it and play with it — in the best and most supportive way possible.
408 Main Street, Edmonds
Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.,
Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
425.640.6408, artspot.squarespace.com
