Your next drive into the countryside could become a sightseeing tour of some of the region’s best artists and craftspeople. Many of the artists on Southern Vancouver Island do not carry their work in stores and galleries but prefer to show their work in their studios.
Drawing on the inspiration from their environment, 18 artists are coming together for the 10-day Stinking Fish Studio Tour — a combination of stunning landscapes and eclectic art studios. Twice a year, many of the same artists, open their studio doors, talk to people about their art, and hopefully sell some art directly to those on the tour. It’s a unique opportunity to see how and where things are made and get to know the creators of the art directly.
This year’s summer Stinking Fish Studio Tour will feature a wealth of fine art, from ceramic sculptors and potters scattered throughout the Sooke, East Sooke and Metchosin area to textiles, mixed media paintings and mosaics, monotypes and woodworking. It fills the senses and sensibilities of those who love and appreciate art, and the art is some of the best available on Vancouver Island.
Maps are available on the website: www.stinkingfishstudiotour.com for those who might wish to travel through the region to seek out the artists’ studios. They have whimsical names such as Saladpatch Studio, ‘Chosin Pottery, Winged Horse Studio, The Boar’s Bristle, Brown Dog Studio and C.M.T. Lab. An interesting aside would be to ask the artist how they came up with the name for their studio. Could be some interesting stories there. Each of the studios will be marked by number and feature the Stinking Fish logo. There is no charge to enter any studio and the browsing is free.
Many of the members studios are open at other times and appointments can be made with the individual artist.
