Positive paths: 2025 Art Trail sees 20% increase in traffic
Pictured are events during the 17th annual Art Trail that took place across Chautauqua County.
The 17th annual Art Trail, hosted by the North Shore Arts Alliance, has concluded with resounding success, reporting a 20% increase in visitor traffic over last year, affirming the event’s growing popularity and the strong community interest in arts and culture across the county.
This year’s Art Trail, held over the Memorial Day Weekend (May 24 and 25) and again during Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 30 and 31) featured 30-plus artists across multiple studios and hub locations countywide.
The range of art forms showcased included pottery, painting, ceramics, fabric art, jewelry, mixed media, photography, wildlife themes, woodworking and unique 3D wooden art puzzles.
New hub locations and nontraditional venues made the trail more accessible and drew larger audiences.
-
- Pictured are events during the 17th annual Art Trail that took place across Chautauqua County.
Media attention expanded, with out-of-county visitors coming from Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Ohio, Maryland and beyond.
Niagara and Erie counties had a 24% increase of people coming in from those areas, Upstate New York in general had a 5% increase. Pennsylvania and Ohio had increases of 34% and 18% respectively. The largest increase came from other states with an 85% increase. The only decreases came from within Chautauqua County itself – a 16% decrease and no traffic at all this year from Canada.
“We’re thrilled to see such strong growth,” said Melissa Meyers, Vice President of the North Shore Arts Alliance and co-chair of the Art Trail. “The 20% traffic increase shows how much people around and outside Chautauqua County are embracing the arts. Expanding hubs and including more varied venues has clearly paid off.”
Some of the new venues on the Trail this year included: 21 Brix, Portland; Bemus Library & Bemus Point Market, Main Street Bemus Point; Janet Mandel Studio, Kennedy; The Sheep Barn, Mayville; Edgewater Art House, Jamestown.
“For many of our participating artists and businesses, it was the best show yet,” said Marcia Merrins, owner of Kniti Griti Studios and President of North Shore Arts Alliance. “We met new patrons, sold more work, and felt an energizing sense of community.”
The community engagement was up as well, with patrons turning in 23% more passports than last year. Patrons collect stamps on a passport picked up at any location. They visit hubs and studios to collect stamps on their passport. It’s good for both Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends in order to allow patrons to be able to visit all locations in the County.
There were eight prize drawings awarded, with congratulations to the top winners of the $100 gift certificates: Lacie Anderson of Jamestown, and Otis Barber of Sinclairville. Other winners are: $75 gift certificates – Cricket Branstronn of Russell, Pa.,, and John Reid III of Gates Mills, Ohio; $50 gift certificates to Diana Pletts of Mayville, and Lauren Blore of Fairview, Pa., and $25
gift certificates were won by Abby Mannino of Fredonia, and Teresa Buettner from Mercer, Pa.
The Art Trail will return in the spring of 2026 during the Memorial Day weekend, with plans to further expand hubs and improve visitor experience. North Shore Arts Alliance is exploring more partnerships, possibly including collaborations with other businesses
North Shore Arts Alliance is also working with the village of Fredonia to install an Artscape banner project, and will be putting out a call for artwork in the near future
Organizers plan to build upon this year’s success by improving visitor wayfinding with signage, maps, and digital tools and ncreasing partnerships with local businesses, tourism bodies, and possibly education programs
The Art Trail is made possible by funding from local organizations to assist with advertising. This year’s Art Trail is grateful for the sponsorship of Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation along with our artists and other sponsors.
North Shore Arts Alliance is looking to grow their membership with community members that can offer new ideas and creative input. The cost for a yearly membership is $35 for both community members and artists alike. Those who would like to join or just donate to support the organization to help keep the Art Trail alive, can simply go to our website at: www.nsaachautauqua.org/join.html or send a check to NSAA PO Box 233, Fredonia, NY 14063
Founded in 2008, the North Shore Arts Alliance is a volunteer-based nonprofit committed to promoting visual arts and cultural engagement in Chautauqua County. Through events such as the Art Trail, gallery exhibitions, public art initiatives, and community outreach, the Alliance connects artists with the public, fosters creative expression, and helps strengthen the local economy.
