The Shoreline Arts Trail’s 15th annual Open Studios Weekend happens right in your backyard—at 34 studios in Branford, Guilford, and Madison, Connecticut. Held Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13, the ArtsTrail is supported by 41 shoreline artists and 13 local business sponsors, as well as the Guilford Art Center and Zip06.

This juried event gathers some of the finest, award-winning artists on the shoreline whose work must reflect mastery of methods and materials, originality of concept, and be handmade by the artist in his/her studio.

•     What you’ll find…one-of-a-kind, quality-made items in a wide range of media including jewelry, sculpture, fiber, paint, glass, pottery, metal, and textiles.

•     What you’ll experience…a chance to talk one-on-one with artists and explore their studios as you weave your way around 50 miles of scenic shoreline.

•     What you’ll do…support local artists and the shoreline economy by supporting our arts community, purchasing great art made right here in Connecticut, and visiting our sponsors which include unique shops, renowned restaurants and picturesque inns.


This year, the Shoreline ArtsTrail welcomes five new member artists, including Laura Barr of Stony Creek, Lisa DeFilippo of Branford, Robert Morris of Guilford, Chris Penry of Guilford, and Pamela Welch of Branford, and four  artists, Linda Westgard, Hannah Baldwin, Maureen Wilkinson, and Sandra Kessler who are rejoining the Trail after a years absence.   They will join returning artists Anne Coffey, Richard Carleton, Terry Bogan, Lisa Carlin, Christine Chiocchio, Alice Chittenden, Jayne Crowley, Margaret B. Dean, Laurie Douglas, Eileen Eder, Susan Gillie, Carol Grave, Lisa Hess Hesselgrave, B. Joan Hickey, Sharon Hosley, Laura C. Lyons, Molly S. McDonald, Jackie McGuire, Jane Strauss Novick, Estelle Nussbaum, Robert Parrott, Steve Plaziak, Leslie Prodis, Pat Rist, Barbara Shulman-Kirwin, Marjorie Sopkin, Sandra Spahr, Catherine Steinberg, Martha Link Walsh, Sid Werthan, and Diane Wright.

Our 2016 Sponsors include Luckey Redo, Home Restaurant, Tommy Sullivan’s Café, Guilford Art Center, Greene Art Gallery, Mix Design Store, Flutterby, Friends & Company Restaurant, Wall Street Gallery, Tabar Designs, Stony Creek Package, Page Hardware, Tidewater Inn, and Zip06. In addition to the two-day Open Studios Weekend, several preview events are scheduled this fall including group shows at Friends and Company Restaurant (Madison) from November 1 - December 11, with a reception on Sunday, November 6 from 2:30-4pm, and Wall Street Gallery (also in Madison) from November 2 - November 29, with a reception on Friday, November 4 from 4-7pm.

For the latest information on these preview events, please visit us at www.shorelineartstrail.com and follow us on Facebook. Watch for details on the Shoreline ArtsTrail website, www.shorelineartstrail.com, which includes an interactive map, downloadable print map and Family Activity Brochure, as well as a blog and Facebook page with profiles on individual artists and special events.

The Shoreline ArtsTrail was started in 2001 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. 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 and participating Open Studio artists, the ArtsTrail received the 2007 Compass Award for Excellence in Partnership from the Greater New Haven Visitors’ Bureau. Now in its 15th year, the Shoreline ArtsTrail is a collaborative effort that includes hundreds of volunteer hours from member artists, an ongoing partnership with the Guilford Art Center, and the support of numerous community sponsors.

During Open Studios Weekend, the colorful “Open Studio” signs point you to all of these artists and studios. For specific locations and more information, 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.