FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2007
Artists and Artisans Trail
Rivertownes PA USA was recently awarded $3,000 by the York County Community Foundation as matching funds for a grant from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. The development of the local Master Artists and Artisans Trail focuses specifically on the Lincoln Highway corridor between York and Lancaster. Rob Evans, an outstanding artist from Wrightsville, York County, and Shari-Vegso Wilson, a performing artist from West Hempfield Township in Lancaster County, are co-chairing the two-county initiative.
The southeastern portion of the state served by this trail is rich in artistic legacy and is home to some of the nation’s most prominent and influential artists throughout history. The Trail experience will encourage visitors to set up appointments to visit artists at work in their environments, interact with them and gain insight into their creative process, and support the artist’s creative work through the direct purchase of original works of art.
In addition, special tour and unique lodging packages are being set up specifically for interior designers, architecture firms and corporate art buyers to provide them with special access to this concentration of artistic talent and to encourage the purchase of high end products from the Trail artists for newly constructed regional facilities or nationwide complexes. This concept will be reinforced through high profile displays featuring the Trail at national art, design, and industry trade shows.
The initiative, in its second year, is being supported by grants from DCED as well as donations from local foundations and individual benefactors. Year one consisted of identifying and contacting qualified area artists, mapping the trail, launching a web-site, developing traveling presentation materials and developing a marketing plan. Emphasis this year will be to refine, expand and continue the development and distribution of year one products.