By Barbara Arnstein
“I am so happy to be a part of the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail again this year. It is a unique opportunity for visitors to meet the many artists in Chautauqua County, visit their studios and get to know them, their work and their processes.”, said Janet Mandel, a painter, whose studio in Kennedy is included in the Labor Day weekend event. “The Art Trail features fiber & clay artists, photographers, jewelers, woodworkers, and stained glass artists as well as painters, and many more. It’s a great opportunity to support these local artists by shopping at their studios for Christmas, birthday, or other gift items or to just treat yourself to a special one-of-a-kind treasure.” Fun fact: Janet Mandel’s new wolf painting, “Sleepy Eyes”, was accepted to the Artscape project in downtown Jamestown. It can be seen on the banner in front of the National Comedy Center.
president of the North Shore Arts Alliance. Pictured, right: Janet Mandel’s new
wolf painting, “Sleepy Eyes”. This piece was accepted to the Artscape project
in downtown Jamestown and can be seen on the banner in front of the National
Comedy Center. Both artists’ works can be found at the event this year.
The much-anticipated annual event will take place will take place Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 from 10am-5pm on both days. Marcia Merrins, President of North Shore Arts Alliance commented, “There will be seasoned professionals, skilled artisans and craftspeople who are inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds them. Arts events in Chautauqua County are not only well attended but also vital to the local economy.” The North Shore Arts Alliance promotes, advises and encourages artistry of all kinds. Its membership includes both artists and community supporters. Every year, visitors come from other counties and nearby states, as well as the local community, to drive around the Art Trail and visit artists’ homes, galleries and studios. This is an opportunity for visitors to get to know artists and their artwork, and the inspiration behind it, and acquire unique treasures to cherish. The improvements last year included an interactive map and QR code access. This year visitors can get an Art Trail Passport (at any location), which if completed, can be entered in a drawing for gift certificates for any participating artists’ art. Anyone with a partial passport from the Memorial Day arts event, should bring it along this weekend.
The Labor Day event includes “hubs”, in which several artists’ work can be seen at one stop. The hubs are as follows:
The three stops in Fredonia feature the work of: Thomas Annear and Tom Janik (Thomas Annear Art Studio); Waldo Latimer, at his Walter Latimer Art Studio; and Marcia Merrins and June Burns (Kniti Griti Works Studio). The one in Portland features the work of Patrick Stokes, Seri Beeson, Sarah Brown, Brian Millspaw, Carrie Sheffield, Lisa Eppolito and Karen Taverna (21 Brix Winery).
Audrey Kay Dowling and Myriam Mayshark will be at the Portage Hill Art Gallery in Westfield, while Jim and Pat Reno will be at their Reno Pottery place in Dewittville. John Gerber, Nancy Wehr, and Denise de la Cerda will be at the Sheep Barn Gallery in Mayville; Cynthia Norton will be at her Cynthia Norton Studio (CHQ Inst.) and Peter Hamilton will be at the LMNOP Gallery in Sherman. Jackie Damore and Lisa Summerfield will be at the Bemus Point Library in Bemus Point, and Janet Mandel will be at her Janet Mandel Art Studio in Kennedy. In Jamestown, Susan Gutierrez and Susan Simmons will be at the Edgewater Art House and Nancy Nixon Ensign will be at her Nancy Nixon Ensign Studio. For more information, go to: nsaachautauqua.org/art-trail.html