Artwork of pelicans created by Marcia Merrins of Fredonia.

Once you’ve left the suburbs or hustle and bustle of city life far behind, you can enter the beautiful rural areas of Western New York.

Chautauqua County historically attracted artists who have packed up their crowded city studios to seek an artistic retreat in the quiet countryside.

Here you’ll find seasoned professionals as well as skilled artisans and craftspeople whom have taken up a creative path, perhaps as a means to distill the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

Arts events in Chautauqua County are well attended and serve to strengthen the local economy by drawing in large crowds from surrounding cities as well as bringing together those who live locally. North Shore Arts Alliance is one of Chautauqua County’s gems.

North Shore Arts Alliance was founded about thirteen years ago by a group of artists with the mission to promote, mentor, and encourage visual artists of all disciplines in Chautauqua County. The organization has grown significantly since then and membership in the alliance includes local artists and community members who can join for a nominal fee. All administrative work is done by volunteers and the funds that are raised go directly to the promotion of Alliance artists and to arts scholarships for local college-bound seniors.

Their signature event is the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail, a driving trail that brings patrons directly to the homes, studios and galleries of many of the artists in the Alliance. They call it the “Art Trail Hub Crawl” because many stops on the trail are “hubs” where you can see the works of multiple artists at a time.

The Art Trail Hub Crawl serves as an economic driver for Chautauqua County with patrons arriving in from across the state, and many from the bordering state of Pennsylvania as well, to come and seek a totally unique original work of art. While many recognize the Chautauqua area for Chautauqua Institution, many tourists as well as many from the local community are drawn specifically to the Art Hub Crawl for its accessibility and its direct connection to the artists themselves.

Marcia Merrins, President of the North Shore Arts Alliance, describes the interactions with her customers during the Art Trail event as “one of the best things about creating art.” At each stop, you will find the artists who created the pieces and they will be happy to talk to you about their work. You will find unique treasures for yourself or a friend, made by the hands of the people you have met along the way.

This year’s second Art Trail Hub Crawl will take place on Sept. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are 11 total “hubs” on the trail with art that ranges from paintings to textiles and the hubs are scattered from Fredonia through Westfield and Bemus Point down to Jamestown. It is well worth the stop on your Labor Day weekend to check out this unique event, meet the talented artists in the North Shore Arts Alliance, and perhaps find a new piece of art to take back home with you.

This year’s artists include Dale Anderson, of Forestville who has been making garden art and whimsical sculptures from scrap metals for 20 years. Thomas Annear of Fredonia, whose plein air paintings capture the grandeur and beauty of the American landscape. Nancy Nixon Ensign, whose paintings work with the historic homes of Chautauqua County that provide untamed architectural landscapes that call to be painted into relevance with isolated figures. Susan Gutierrez, of Jamestown, whose palette knife paintings depict the beauty of the area. Marica Merrins, of Fredonia, a potter whose wonderful menagerie of wood fired and raku animal pieces, from hippos to elephants, that are fun and collectible, also has whimsical pottery and jewelry that are statement pieces all their own. Melissa Meyers, of Bemus Point, works with abstracts in acrylic and depicts the beauty of the area with realism paintings in acrylic, oils and watercolor. Susan Barnes, of Cassadaga, creates spirit-inspired creative images on canvas. Leslie Calimeri, of Lakewood, who creates beautiful paintings in oil and watercolors. James Hoggard, whose stunning landscape photography is so unique and a must see. Cynthia Norton, of Chautauqua, a very talented textile artist, specializing in hand-painted clothing for sophisticated, artistically inclined women. Jim and Pat Reno, of Dewittville, are potters who create highly decorated pieces. Kirsten Engstrom, of Mayville, a creator of large and small sculptures. Tim Sivertsen, who works with pastel, charcoal and acrylics to create figures in motion, and landscapes. Karen Glosser, a native of WNY, specializing in photographs that include a series of: Water, Woodlands and Wanderings, and Winter Dreams. Audrey Kay Dowling, of Westfield, uses many different art mediums to create textures and patterns in her varied works. Jill Matteson, uses paint and ancient mathematical color and design elements for her works. Denise Williams, of Westfield, creates unique glass work on display in her gallery Living Glass & Art Gallery studio in Westfield.

The event is a unique occasion to get an amazing look into the creative processes of highly skilled and talented artists, all located within the boundary of Chautauqua County. Tourists from nearby states, and local community members are drawn to The Art Hub Crawl for its accessibility and its direct connection to the artists themselves.

The long pandemic has taken a toll on events like this, negatively impacting artists, as visual art really must be seen in person to evaluate colors, textures, discover emotions within the works and simply enjoy the beauty created by others. All the artists are very excited to be able to present this event in person, and hopeful you will take on the adventure of discovering their studio and works.

Mark your calendar for this event, it takes place rain or shine, support our local art community and take a day to just enjoy.

Find more information about the Art Trail Hub Crawl at nsaachautauqua.org or use this quick response code via your smart phone to take you to their website where you will find maps, artists and photos.