On Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25, the North Shore Arts Alliance will hold its 17th annual spring Art Trail designed to showcase local artists in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces throughout Chautauqua County.

The Art Trail was created in 2008 as an opportunity for artists to showcase their art in their studios. Since it began 17 years ago, the Art Trail has changed, adapted, and grows bigger every year.

“It started strictly as a studio trail on the north end of the county,” said 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.”

Thirty-one 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,” Meyers said. “It’s a great opportunity to get out and support the artists, while offering a unique glimpse inside some unique and inspiring spaces.”

Art available includes 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 21 Brix in Portland in the northern end of the county, the Bemus Library and the Bemus Market both on Main Street in the middle of the county, the Janet Mandel Studio in Kennedy to the southern end of the county and the Sheep Barn in Mayville. Also new on the Trail is a stop at Edgewater Art House on Eighth Street in Jamestown.

“It’s such a unique opportunity to see inside these artists’ studios, and speak with them about their art,” Meyers said. “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.”

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 to find the type of art is of interest to them,” Meyer said. “It’s also a great tool to learn about local artists in the area.”

Passport cards will be available for visitors to have stamped at each location, which enables them to be in a drawing for the chance to win a gift card that will be redeemable with any participating artisan on this year’s Art Trail.

“It’s a fun way to get people involved, and encourage them to visit more locations,” Meyers said. “We’ll have several prizes available and guests need not visit all locations to enter the drawing.”

The event is free and open to the public, rain or shine. For more information visit nsaachautauqua.org/ and follow on Facebook/northshorearts for updates.