Twenty wildly decorated salmon are about to be released in downtown Edmonds with the opening June 14 of a new art event, “Salmon Run.”

ArtistsConnect conceived “Salmon Run” to involve local businesses in the arts and to promote its upcoming ARTSplash member art show July 19 to 22 at ArtWorks. “Merchants went wild for the idea,” said Bill Butler, ArtistsConnect member and organizer of ARTSplash, “and the public will, too.”

Local clay artist Dawn Rieck created the limited edition 11-inch stoneware salmon, and 20 members of ArtistsConnect let creativity take over. Each artist has embellished, adorned, and enlivened one of the sculptures in a wildly different theme.

Before the “Run,” the school of 20 salmon assembles at Cole Gallery and Artists’ Supplies in Edmonds, now through June 14. Merchants will select their fish to display in their storefronts when the official “Run” begins June 14. The colorful fish will be stationed at participating downtown merchants during regular business hours.

Maps of the “Run” are available on www.artsplash-edmonds.com and at each participating merchant location. Visitors will also receive a free gift — samples, coupons, entries in a drawing — at each salmon location.

Now in its third year, ArtistsConnect was launched in 2004 by a dozen artists in Edmonds for members to “connect, learn, and grow in the arts.” Since then, it has grown exponentially to more than 150 members. The organization welcomes all visual artists. Meetings are the fourth Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to noon, at ArtWorks, 201 2nd Avenue in Edmonds.

“Salmon Run” culminates July 19 with ArtistsConnect’s biannual exhibit featuring more than 50 artist members displaying their works at ArtWorks. The show runs through July 22. The fall exhibit is planned for Nov. 15 to 18.