By Kate Bartlett
This Memorial Day weekend, May 24th-25th, marks the North Shore Arts Alliance’s 17th annual spring Art Trail. This unique event is held twice per year, once in the fall (Saturday/Sunday of Labor Day Weekend) and once in the spring (Saturday/Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend) and is designed to showcase creativity in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces throughout Chautauqua County. This year’s trail promises to be bigger and more immersive, celebrating the rich diversity of local and highly skilled artisans while providing a platform for artists to connect with new audiences.
or hub locations throughout Chautauqua County. (Pictured
LTR, artwork by Janet Mandel and Melissa Meyers.
The Art Trail was created in 2008 as an opportunity for artists to showcase their art in their studios. Since its inception 17 years ago, the Art Trail has gained momentum and grows bigger every year. “It started strictly as a studio trail on the north end of the county” says Melissa Meyers, Vice President of the North Shore Arts Alliance and Co-Chair of the Art Trail event. “We’ve grown to include art galleries in Chautauqua County, and 3 years ago we began placing hubs with 2 or more artists in non-traditional spaces in order to bring the event more into the eye of the public.”
This spring, 30 artists will be showcasing their art in their studios or hub locations throughout Chautauqua County. “We have a great variety of artists that will be showcased at various locations,” says Melissa. “It’s a great opportunity to get out and support the artists, while offering a unique glimpse inside some unique and inspiring spaces.”
of the North Shore Arts Alliance.
The types of featured artwork run the gamut, including pottery, clay artists, painting, jewelry, fabric, photography, woodworking, mixed media, wildlife, unique 3-D wooden art puzzles and more. The artists will be set up at various locations around Chautauqua County, including in front of the library and at the Bemus Point Market on Main Street in Bemus Point, 21 Brix in Portland, The Janet Mandel Studio in Kennedy (a must-see according to Melissa) and the Sheep Barn (another must-see) in Mayville. “It’s such a unique opportunity to see inside these artists’ studios, and speak with them about their art. Not only are the spaces themselves inspirational; but guests have the opportunity to speak with the artists about their creations. It’s an incredible opportunity to make a connection with an artist; we’ve seen many individuals especially young people become inspired after experiencing art in this way.”
While driving the trail can be completed in one day, guests are encouraged to take their time at each location, and connect with the art and artists. The North Shore Arts Alliance has put together an interactive map (available online at www.nsaachautauqua.org/art-trail.html) to help research and plan ahead. Guests can view each location on the map, click on a pin to see which artists are featured, and learn more about each artist and their type of art by clicking on the link to the artists websites. “We’ve found this to help guests plan the best route, as well as learn what type of art is of interest to them,” says Melissa. “It’s also a great tool to learn about local artists in the area.”
Passport cards will be available for guests to have stamped at each location, with the chance to win a gift card that will be redeemable with any participating artisan. “It’s a fun way to get people involved, and encourage them to visit more locations,” says Melissa. “We’ll have several prizes available and guests need not visit all locations to enter the drawing.”
The Art Trail attracts visitors from far and wide, including Pittsburgh, Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Buffalo and more; however, the majority of attendees are Chautauqua County residents. The event is free and open to the public, rain or shine. For more information visit https://nsaachautauqua.org/ and follow on Facebook/northshorearts for updates.
The Art Trail is a community-driven initiative, run by North Shore Arts Alliance, an all-volunteer non-profit organization. The trail brings together artists, art lovers and nature enthusiasts in an immersive experience that celebrates the beauty of both art and the environment of our beautiful Chautauqua County.