The business landscape in downtown Edmonds is changing. More and more, arts related shops and galleries are opening up in the downtown business district, giving a more artistic feel to the area.

And, because of the popularity of the Edmonds Arts Walk, many other businesses feature art on the walls of their shops.

The result: Edmonds seems to be transforming itself into an emerging arts mecca, drawing many new visitors and shoppers to the downtown area.

The newest gallery to open is Stunningly Strange Gallery, at 407 Main St. (next door to Manya Vee Selects), which had its grand opening last week.

Kaitlin Phillips Goodey is the owner and artist in residence at Stunningly Strange Gallery, a title she takes quite literally.

“Everything in the gallery is mine, she said. “My studio is in the back of the shop, it seems I live here.”

That’s right, it’s a working studio – visitors can not only enjoy the artwork presented but see what Goodey is currently working on.

Goodey says her work is inspired by memories, dreams, folk tales and childhood imagination. The ideas are channeled through the unique characters she produces, both as sculptural elements and as photographic images.

“No matter what age a person is, there is an imaginative side to everyone,” Goodey said. “I want to show art that is unusual and has a story that resonates with the viewer.”

One of her goals is to bring fresh and creative art to an already active art community.

“I want to expose the community to art that goes beyond the traditional,” she said.

And she feels she’s got the perfect spot to do that. She knew immediately upon seeing it that the location was right for her.

“It is a perfect place,” Goodey said. “My studio is in the back, but it’s open to the gallery. I can do my work yet still get out and interact with people coming into the shop.”

Goodey trained in photography at the Art Institute of Seattle, earning a Bachelor of Fine Art degree, then earned a Master of Fine Arts at Washington State University.

And she has local family roots in Edmonds. Her grandfather is J. Ward Phillips, who was the original developer of Old Milltown in Edmonds as well as being a former president of the Edmonds Arts Festival.

For more information on Kaitlin Goodey and the Stunningly Strange Gallery call 425-697-0420, email her at stunninglustrange@gmail.com or go to www.stunninglystrange.com.