Galleries, artists and art studios abound in Southwest Washington and nowhere is that more apparent than during the annual ARTrails event, which takes place September 18-19 and 25-26, 2010 from 10 am-5 pm.
During this self-guided tour, now in its sixth year, visitors get a chance to see artists at work. From potters to painters to glass blowers, artisans open their work spaces and people come flocking.
“It gets the word out and makes people aware there are a lot of talented artists in this area.”
Jeanne Hamilton of Winlock is one of several area artists who will participate in Lewis County’s ARTrails this fall. Photo by The Chronicle.
“You get to see how they do their work,” said ceramics artist Richard Roth, a member of the non-profit ARTrails board. “You can ask questions and you really get a chance to understand how the process works.”
Roth is just one of the artists who opens his studio, Grand Prairie Designs, to the public during the annual event. He had invited the public into his art space for a few years on his own when ARTrails began, so he said the fit was perfect for him. Interacting with the public and getting to share his work are two things he said he enjoys. He said he has even met people through ARTrails who eventually came back and took art classes from him.
“It gets the word out and makes people aware there are a lot of talented artists in this area,” Roth said.
Work like this by Cindy Hadden is just a taste of some of the artwork featured during the annual ARTrails studio tour. Photo by The Chronicle.
Last year’s ARTrails event included about 31 studios and about 60 artists from Grand Mound to near Kelso. This year, juried selection of new ARTrails artists took place in April, after The Chronicle’s deadline, but more artists were expected to be added to the lineup.
“We got some applications from Morton and Mossyrock so we’re excited to be expanding into the east side of the county,” Roth said.
If You Go:
What: ARTrails
When: Sept. 18-19 and Sept. 25-26. Gala Opening 4-8 p.m. Friday Sept. 17 at the Historic Centralia Train Depot
Where: Various galleries and studios throughout Southwest Washington
Cost: Self-guided tour is free, artworks will be for sale at various locations
Info: www.artrailsofsww.org
Another addition to this year’s lineup will be more events aimed at guests who come from out of town for ARTrails. Because the tour is free, it is uncertain just how many visitors take part in the event, but Roth said he has had guests from across the United States. A number of visitors have told him they purposely plan their vacations to visit family in Washington during ARTrails so they can attend.
Roth said plans are being put in place to offer special lodging packages for people from outside Lewis County to come to the gala opening the Friday night of opening weekend and stay over to tour galleries and studios the next day. Live musical entertainment at some of the different venues, as well as transportation for visitors who may come by train, is also being planned.
“Mostly they come for the day and leave and we really want to entice people to stay,” Roth said.