Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller, said that B次元官网网址渋n union there is strength.B次元官网网址�

This aphorism applies doubly when youB次元官网网址檙e an artist. Finding opportunities to connect with the public and promote yourself is always a challenge, especially when youB次元官网网址檇 rather be creating art than marketing it.

But what if you were to approach promotion as a team? ThatB次元官网网址檚 the idea behind Stinking Fish, a collective of artists located across Metchosin and East Sooke who have been working together to market their art to the public for more than a decade.

B次元官网网址淭he idea was to let people know there are artists out here B次元官网网址� there are good artists out here,B次元官网网址� says Ann Semple, a potter and member of the collective for the past dozen years.

If youB次元官网网址檙e wondering about the name, Metchosin is the anglicized version of the First Nations phrase Smets-Schosen, which translates to B次元官网网址減lace of stinking fish.B次元官网网址�

The group membersB次元官网网址� mediums range from metalwork to mosaic, fibre to furniture, printmaking to pottery and all points between. Members include both working artists and those who juggle art and another job, but the talent level is top-tier: all potential members are subject to a jury process. B次元官网网址淲e want to keep the level (of quality) high,B次元官网网址� Semple says.

The early days of Stinking Fish began with a summer studio tour, a few days each summer where artists opened their studios to the public and allowed patrons to glimpse how process becomes product.

Since then, the group has expanded to include a fall tour, which this year was held in a single place, West-Mont Montessori School, uniting the artists under one roof.

For those who missed out, Semple says itB次元官网网址檚 possible to contact individual member studios to see if you can drop by to purchase some of their work.

B次元官网网址淎lmost anybody who makes art is happy to have people call and say, B次元官网网址楥an I come and see?B次元官网网址� because whatB次元官网网址檚 the point of making this stuff if no one sees it?B次元官网网址� she says.

A list of Stinking Fish member studios is available at http://stinkingfishstudiotour.com/

Johanna Henderson is a volunteer with the West Shore Arts Council and principal with Shelter Creative Services.