Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail Open Saturday, Sunday

The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail will be open Saturday and Sunday.

The trail offers artist members of the North Shore Arts Alliance an unique opportunity to open their studios to the public or exhibit their work in galleries and non-traditional “hub” locations during two weekends each year–Memorial Day and Labor Day. The self-guided driving tour spans Chautauqua County, inviting visitors to experience art where it is created and displayed.

Recognizing that not all artist studios are easily accessible, the alliance has developed a network of hub locations where visitors can meet multiple artists in one stop. The hubs may be set outdoors under canopies or indoors in shared spaces provided by fellow artists. The organization has also cultivated creative partnerships with community venues, including the Bemus Point Library, where artists exhibit on the grounds in exchange for promotional support.

In 2025, nearly 14 percent of attendees traveled from outside the state. Trail stops stretch from Jamestown to Sherman and from Kennedy to Fredonia, offering a wide geographic reach. To encourage exploration of more locations–particularly working studios–NSAA introduced a passport program. Visitors collect stamps at each stop and redeem completed passports for tiered prizes, including gift certificates redeemable with participating artists. The program grew 24% from 2024 to 2025.

The alliance also offers an interactive online map, also available in print, featuring locations, artist profiles, images, and links to artist websites. This year will see the highest number of artists participating, as it is set to expand to 16 stops with 36 participating artists. The event takes place on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Also participating are young artists through the Emerging Student Artists Program, which allows local high school artists recommended by their art teachers to participate. Students will have the opportunity to network with professional artists and learn about exhibiting their work at an art event. They will gain experience answering questions from visitors, exploring display options, learning about sales tax certificates, and hearing firsthand from experienced artist vendors. This is a chance for students to see what it takes to display–and potentially sell–their work in a real-world setting. Students from Westfield High School will be at the Sheep Barn, 5115 Morris Road in Mayville, and students from Jamestown’s AP art program will exhibit at the Key Bank Edgewater Art House, 712 W. Eighth St., Jamestown.

The North Shore Arts Alliance organization currently includes 104 members and is led by an all-volunteer board. One goal is increasing attendance across both weekends bookending the summer months, boosting artist sales, and strengthening regional tourism by encouraging overnight stays. Visitor data, tracked through ZIP code sign-ins, shows a 20% overall increase in attendance in 2025, along with a 21% rise in out-of-state visitors.

More information and sample images of the artists’ works, visit nsaachautauqua.org/art-trail.html