As the North Shore Arts Alliance gears up for the start of the 2014 Chau-tauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail this weekend, the group will welcome eight new artists to the Trail giving guests even more opportunities to visit the personal, and often private, places where artists live and create their work, and get to know the artists themselves.

The Chautauqua Lake Erie Art Trail begins this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, and again the following weekend on Satur-day, May 31 and Sunday, June 1.

Tours take place all four days between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The eight new artists join with returning artists for a total of 25 open studios. The expanded tour will now open the doors to sculptors, a textile artist and an encaustic painter in addition to photographers, ceramicists, painters, jewelers, wood turners, stained glass and other mixed media artists.

New artists on the Art Trail this year are:

Carrie Anne Tredo: Working in mixed media, sculpture, mosaics and jewelry, Tredo says her “home studio offers a unique art experience featuring a wide variety of quality handcrafted items, ranging from fine artwork, to mosaics, to furniture.” She specializes in organic collage and origami jewelry.

Denise Williams: Williams is a stained glass artist. She says, “My work emerges from nature. Physical components of form, structure and color are framed in composition within a geometric window, representing the meta-patterns and rhythms of the earth as I interpret them.”

Lucille Bryant: Bryant’s work focuses on mixed media, ceramics and painting. She says, “Welcome to my multi-media world of clay, paint and fun. Nestled in tranquil woods, my studio allows me to draw inspiration from my surroundings and to create unique natural forms.”

Mary Ann Jankowski: As a painter, Jankowski says, “For the past 20 years I have been working in watercolors and pastels. I specialize in landscapes from travels and regional, florals, still lifes and children at play. Painting is my passion!”

Marcia A. Merrins: As an artist who works in ceramics, sculpture and fiber arts, Merrins says, “Kniti Griti Works Studio reflects my imagination. Sculptured animals be-come whimsical friends. A raku face becomes a personality. A platter becomes a canvas. Bowls sporting quirky footwear become beloved people.”

Beth Runkel: Working in painting and mixed media, Runkel says, “My work depicts images of nature – forms captured in paint and pencil. Whether from first-hand study or imagination, these images speak of the life cycles and energies of our world.”

Cyn Gailey/Barbara Joy: As stained glass and sculpture artists at Creation Station, Giley and Joy have been working in stained glass since 1994 and teaching since 2004. They create traditional glass windows as well as 3-D and glass sculpture, and beach glass creations and lamps.

In addition to the artist studios, 19 sponsors will have their doors open for guests highlighting more galleries, artful businesses, local attractions and additional dining and lodging options. Visitors will find plenty of places to stop, eat, stay overnight and peruse quaint shops full of unique artifacts.

For a list of participating artists and sponsors, visit www.chautauquaarttrail.com. The site provides images and background information on the artists, a Google map of the studio tour locations, and a downloadable printer-friendly version of the brochure. Call 679-9254 for more information.

The Chautauqua Lake Erie Art Trail is the signature event of the North Shore Arts Alliance, a not-for-profit co-operative marketing, promotional, and membership organization working on behalf of artists in Chautauqua County. The Arts Alliance seeks to foster an environment where art strengthens Chautauqua County’s image, economic vitality and quality of life.