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Community Corner

Shoreline ArtsTrail: A Collaborative Effort

The Shoreline ArtsTrail is pleased to announce the launch of its 13th season. Each year, more than 40 artists from the towns of Branford, Guilford and Madison work together to present a two-day Open Studios event in November. It is truly a collaborative effort that includes lots of volunteer hours from member artists, an ongoing partnership with the Guilford Art Center, lodge and dine discounts from local businesses, and the support of community sponsors including Friends & Co., Guilford Art Center, Home, Luckey Redo, Mix, Tide Water Inn, Tommy Sullivan’s, Wall Street Gallery and Words by Jen.

This year’s Opens Studios Weekend, November 22 and 23, introduces four new member artists: Susan Gillie (Guilford), Lisa Hess Hesselgrave (Branford), Kathleen Hoskins (Guilford), and Estelle Nussbaum (Guilford).

Returning artists in Branford include Hannah Baldwin, Terry Bogan, Richard Carleton, Christine Chiocchio, Anne Coffey, Margaret B. Dean, David Frank, Lisa Hess Hesselgrave, Sharon Hosley, Owen Sea Luckey, Molly S. McDonald, Kristin Merrill, Jane Strauss Novick, Pat Rist, Martha Link Walsh, Sid Werthan, and Maureen Wilkinson. Returning Guilford artists are Alice Chittenden, Laurie Douglas, Eileen Eder, Susan Gillie, Carol Grave, B. Joan Hickey, Kathleen Hoskins, Lorraine Lewin, Phyllis Lynch, Jackie McGuire, Estelle Nussbaum , Steve Plaziak, Barbara Shulman-Kirwin, Marjorie Sopkin, Sandra Spahr, Catherine Steinberg, G. Scott Tabar, Linda Knudsen Westgard, and Diane Wright.  And from Madison, Anita K. Griffith, Melissa Imossi, Stuart Alan Lerner, Laura C. Lyons, Dayna Mankowski, and Robert Parrott.

Now 42 members strong, the Shoreline ArtsTrail was started in 2002 by a small group of shoreline artists. Their intent was to create an annual open studios event to allow local residents and weekend visitors to interact with artists and experience the creative process first-hand. The seeds were planted and began to grow.

Three years later, grants from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and from the towns of Branford, Guilford and Madison, dramatically accelerated the project. The number of artists almost doubled, as did the types of media, which now includes jewelry, sculpture, fiber, paint, glass, pottery, metal, and textiles. With the invaluable support of the Guilford Art Center, the vigorous group of Open Studio artists morphed into a year-long Shoreline ArtsTrail. The combined efforts of all parties led to the ArtsTrail receiving the Compass Award for Excellence in Partnership in 2007 from the Greater New Haven Visitors' Bureau.

Now in its 13th year, the Shoreline ArtsTrail and Open Studios Weekend is a great way explore the shoreline’s arts community. Enjoy refreshments while you watch demonstrations and ask questions, meet the artists one-on-one and explore their studios, see new and amazing art, get a head start on your holiday shopping and much more!

During Open Studios Weekend, the colorful “Open Studio” signs point you to all of these artists and studios. For specific locations and more information about events, discount offers and participating artists, pick up a copy of the Shoreline ArtsTrail map, available in libraries, town halls, Connecticut welcome centers, and visitors’ centers in Branford, Guilford and Madison, as well as at the Guilford Art Center and the various studios. Contact Martha Link Walsh at (203) 481-3505 or visit www.shorelineartstrail.com, and its companion blog or Facebook page, for more information.


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