The stately heritage mansion sits amid a canopied forest, overlooking the Esquimalt Lagoon. It’s a slice of heaven on the West Shore and the keys have been handed to a group of artists.

A veritable art mecca called the Coast Collective launches Saturday in Pendray House at the proposed Essencia development in Colwood. If all goes to plan, the large 1928 house will be abuzz with working artists and new gallery displays every few weeks.

West Shore artists Marcela Strasdas, Deborah Czernecky and Barbara Giuliany were given the green light from Essencia to organize and create the collective last fall. It’s a concept waiting to happen — no less than 47 local artists contributed 100 pieces to their inaugural show, “Small Treasures.”

“It’s a very talented community out here. It’s time to tap into it,” Czernecky said. “This gallery will give more opportunity for the local guys to get their foot in the door.”

The collective goes a long way to address the imbalance between recreation and arts centres on the West Shore, the women say. Indeed, with the launch of the Metchosin Art and Cultural Centre, Studio art gallery in Langford and now Coast Collective in Colwood, the local art community is finally finding its footing.

“We’ve recognized for a long time there’s been a lack of space for anything on the West Shore,” Strasdas said. “We’ve got plenty of sports facilities being built out here, but really nothing for the arts.”

“Fitness is good for the body,” Czernecky remarked. “But art is food for the soul.”

Giuliany noted with the Robert Bateman art and education centre planned at Royal Roads University, there will be an “arts corridor” extending through the West Shore.

Coast Collective will operate out of Pendray House while UnaVera Resorts, the developer, moves Essencia through the long planning and development process. The 11.8-hectare property at the end of Heatherbell Road is being eyed for a village and residential complex. Rezoning has yet to come before Colwood council.

Cindy Moyer, Essencia’s community liaison said it’s gratifying to finally have a location to channel the area’s artistic energy.

“When (UnaVera) bought the property they realized there would be time before it was changed. They realized there was a community need,” she said. “I’m gob smacked at Essencia’s intentional focus on community building. They are paying it forward big time.”

Coast Collective plans to have monthly or biweekly art shows across the spectrum of mediums and artists, from professionals to beginners who paint, sculpt, forge metalwork, weave, create jewelry and take photographs. The co-op gift shop will be staffed by the artists selling their crafts and managed by local artist Terri Rodstrom.

Strasdas, Czernecky and painter Keith Hiscock among others, are scheduled to teach classes in their respective mediums starting January. Studio space is also available to lease.

Essencia is giving the group a good deal on renting the house, but to survive, they need to make the centre self-sufficient, they said.

“Right now we are supporting this personally, but we have limited resources,” Giuliany said. “We will be viable, but not without Essencia at first.”

“Essencia wants to play a big part in the community and is very interested in the arts,” Strasdas said. “Once it gets developed we will move into a new building, provided we show them this is a good business model.”

The collective expects big things. A centre with a gallery, gift shop and ongoing art classes is almost unheard of in Greater Victoria, they said. And the view of a migratory bird sanctuary can’t be beat.

“Just looking out over the lagoon, it’s so inspiring and peaceful here,” Strasdas said.

Small Treasures art show runs until Dec. 20. The opening reception is Nov. 22, noon to 5 p.m., 3221 Heatherbell Rd. Call 250-391-5522 for more details or see www.coastcollective.ca.