May 31, 2023

Business Spotlight: Cole Gallery

Small businesses and the people who own and work in them are the heart of our Edmonds community. They make our downtown unique, authentic and welcoming.

In this series, we highlight the independently-owned businesses of Downtown Edmonds, and learn more about the folks that make them run!

Meet Denise Cole from Cole Gallery.

What is your favorite part of your business?
Connecting our community and beyond with beautiful original art and art classes.

Why did you start your business?
I had been a professional artist for a number of years and shared a small studio gallery on Main Street in Edmonds but I wanted to have a space to show all the artists’ work that I had become familiar with over the years. I had a vision for creating a national class gallery in Edmonds, which would feature some of the best painters and sculptors in the Pacific Northwest. I also wanted to have an art school where people could come together to learn from these artists.

Why did you choose Edmonds for your business?
There was never any other city where I would have wanted my gallery and art school to be. Edmonds was the perfect community with a wonderful mix of people who I really believed would love the art I was bringing in. Plus, our city is known as an art town and now when I’ve seen how much the arts have grown in our area, I knew it was the right choice.

What is unique about your business?
We are one of the largest galleries in the area, with over 100 paintings and sculpture on display at all times. We bring in new shows with upwards of 25 – 35 new pieces in every month, but instead of sending past art back, we rotate the art in the gallery, giving our customers more time to visit, ponder and consider buying art. We also have a wonderful art school where we offer over 100 classes and workshops per year. We specialize in classes for beginners and for people wanting to discover the artist within!

Why should people do business with you?
We have some of the best painters and sculptors in the country! And we have incredibly supportive, encouraging instructors who lead our students in their artist journey.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am passionate about cooking and baking—as I am writing this I just pulled out of the oven my third loaf of sourdough today! I also devour dozens and dozens of books a year, both audio (while I cook) and the written word.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your business?
You don’t need to be an art buyer to visit the gallery and just enjoy the artwork. I invite everyone who might read this to bask in the beauty, be inspired and fill your soul with art!

What are your hours of business?
We’re open 7 days a week: Mon – Sat 10am-6pm, Sundays 10am-5pm

Cole Gallery
107 5th Ave S
Opened in 2006

More Features

Advisory Board meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8:00 a.m. Click for details.

Sign-up for our mailing list