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Three students earn Edmonds Driftwood Players theatre scholarships
Following board approval June 24, Edmonds Driftwood Players announced the recipients of its 2026 scholarships. The scholarship program supports students pursuing higher education and professional training in theatre.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
Lucy Myers is the recipient of the Ralph Eaton Technical Scholarship; Dorothy White is the recipient of the Theatre Arts Scholarship; and Lynx Beaky is the recipient of the AC & Norma Gehrig Memorial Scholarship. Each will be awarded $1,000 payable to their school of choice.
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Lynnwood combat veteran and Edmonds illustrator release PTSD children’s book
Welcome Home, Sgt. Bear is written by retired combat veteran and PNW Veteran Assistance Program founder Jim Armstrong and illustrated by Edmonds artist Quinn Merrin. It tells the story of a parent returning home from deployment through the perspective of a teddy bear. Inspired by Armstrong’s deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the book explores PTSD while encouraging compassion, hope and healing.
The story follows Sgt. Bear, a treasured stuffed animal who comes home from war changed. His stuffed animal friends rally around him in support. The character GI Jim was written in honor of Armstrong’s fellow soldiers Arnray Mincey and Patrick Gaddie, who served alongside him in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“What began in my mind as a stage play eventually found its true home as a children’s book,” said Armstrong. “I wanted to create something that could help families have conversations that are often difficult to start. If this story helps even one child better understand a parent returning home with invisible wounds, then it has accomplished exactly what I hoped.”
“I understand the importance of mental health, and I hope this story helps reduce the stigma surrounding PTSD while offering comfort and encouragement to families navigating its impact,” Merrin said.
Merrin is creative director of Foster & the Kid, a studio she co-founded with her mother, Kelsey Foster.
Welcome Home, Sgt. Bear is now available in hardcover.
Upcoming art happenings
Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal performance
Saturday, July 25, 1:15-2 p.m.
Triton Field, Edmonds College, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood
Cost: Free
Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal will give its last performance of the summer at Latino Expo 2026.
The Expo runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the group’s 30-minute performance scheduled to begin around 1:15 p.m.
Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal will resume performances and classes in September.
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Friday Night Art & Wine: Painting a Winsome Finch in Acrylic
Friday, July 31, 5-8 p.m.
Cole Art Studio, lower level of Cole Gallery, 107 5th Ave. S., Edmonds
Cost: $135
Level: All levels
Instructor: Michelle Waldele
Celebrate Friday night with creativity, paint and your favorite beverage in this acrylic painting workshop, where participants will create a finch perched within a still-life setting.
With Waldele’s instruction and easy-to-follow techniques, students will bring the finch to life step by step. No experience is required, and all supplies are included.
The workshop includes wine, seltzer water and packaged snacks. Participants are welcome to bring a treat to share, and everyone will leave with a finished painting.
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Saturday, Aug. 1, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
ARTspot Edmonds, 408 Main St.
Cost: Free
Level: All levels
Ages: All ages
Participants will meet at ARTspot on the first Saturday of every month before heading out on foot for an urban sketching adventure around downtown Edmonds.
The group welcomes artists of all experience levels who would like to sketch with others. Edmonds Sketchers also provides an opportunity to share favorite drawings, exchange experiences or ask for advice.
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Friday through Saturday, Aug. 7-8
Civic Center Playfield, Edmonds
Advance tickets available online
The Edmonds Block Party returns to Civic Center Playfield for a weekend of live music, local flavor and community celebration.
The festival brings together music lovers from across the Pacific Northwest for two days of performances, food and beverages. This year’s lineup features a mix of nationally touring artists and local fan favorites.
Advance tickets are available and provide quicker entry than gate purchases.
*If you would like your event included in future Art Beat listings, email Nahline Gouin at [email protected]. Discover more by following the Art Beat on Instagram.
Based in Edmonds, Nahline is a freelance writer, ceramicist and arts advocate with experience in art museums and performing arts centers. She continues to create with clay, homeschool her son and write as a creative practice. Contact her at [email protected].
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