Leslie Calimeri, Chautauqua Art Gallery owner and artist, with several of the oil paintings she’s created that were inspired by Jamestown’s West Third Street oak trees. Submitted photo

The Chautauqua Art Gallery and Chautauqua Region Community Foundation are sponsoring an online exhibition and sale for artwork related to Jamestown’s West Third Street oak trees.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit Jamestown’s Urban Forestry Fund, administered by the Community Foundation.

Any artist who has created work inspired by the oaks is invited to join. All mediums are welcome including 2 and 3-dimensional artwork, jewelry, prints and notecards. Artists must designate a portion of their proceeds from artwork sales to the fund. Interested artists can find details and registration information online at jamestowntrees.org. The registration deadline is Nov. 18.

“As a current Jamestown resident and life-long Chautauqua County resident, I understand the reverence for, and the rich history of Third Street’s oaks and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to not only celebrate the oaks, but also to highlight the wonderful work being done through Jamestown’s Urban Forestry Fund.”, said Chautauqua Gallery owner and artist Leslie Calimeri. “I’m looking forward to joining with other artists and seeing the artistic representation of what these giant trees have meant to our community.”

In the fall of 2020 it was determined that the iconic, century old oak trees lining the street were no longer safe and, to much dismay, needed to be removed.

“Since the oaks were removed, we have had many conversations with city arborist Dan Stone to find ways to celebrate the oaks’ legacy and raise awareness for the planning and caring of all trees throughout the city,” said Tory Irgang, Community Foundation executive director. “We are honored to be a part of bringing artisans together who have been inspired by this beautiful piece of our community’s history.”

The online exhibition and sale will run from Nov. 20, 2021 – Jan. 1, 2022. For more information visit jamestowntrees.org or contact Calimeri at Chautauqua Art Gallery, 716.753.6296 or email her at leslie@chautauquaartgallery.com.