Have a yen for viewing eclectic art? Just follow the trail.
The Allegheny Ridge Corporation set in motion its Heart of the Alleghenies Route 22 Artisan Trail Thursday at the Art 4 Gallery in downtown Hollidaysburg.
Along the corridor, which runs approximately 90 miles between Johnstown and Huntingdon, strategically placed commissioned art will be exhibited at high profile locales such as Art 4, Allegheny Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau in Altoona, Raystown Lake Visitors Center in Hesston, Vintage Art Glass in Huntingdon and Tea Merchant 101 in Duncansville.
The corridor in Cambria, Blair and Huntingdon counties winds through a myriad of historical rural communities once part of the historic Main Line Canal, said ARC Executive Director Jane Sheffield. It all started out as a partnership between various state agencies such the Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
"These agencies have identified key traveling corridors in the region on which to develop tourism sites for the sale and promotion of local art," Sheffield said. "Our goals are to help Pennsylvania artists sell their art locally, and to entice travelers to stay longer and experience the great artistic heritage and culture of our region."
The site placement has the potential to attract a per day average of approximately 25,000 drivers, she said, adding that Art 4's recent opening was a boon to the project's launch.
"We were very fortunate because Art 4 opened the same year that we are debuting the Route 22 Artisan Trail," she said.
"So it's a premier marketplace that already exists and exemplifies the enjoyment and enrichment of purchasing local art."
Five area artists were on hand at Art 4 to initiate the endeavor - painting, selling and socializing with spectators and potential buyers.
"I think the (Route 22) artisan trail is destined for success," said Lynn Baney, a professional abstract expressionsist/ geometric abstract painter from Roaring Spring.
"Just the fact that it's a juried process that includes high-quality arts and crafts is a wonderful thing for the local art community. For artists and art lovers both, it's a win-win situation. The fact that it's linked statewide on Route 22 is definitely a plus - as artists, we should all be working together."
Barbara Hollander, an artist and coordinator at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona, also was there, painting and talking about the trail's possible future.
"Well, to be honest, I guess uncertainty would descibe me right now," she said. "They're kicking off something entirely new. I'm not sure of its direction or the audience response just yet.
"But that's not to say I don't think it's a wonderful idea. We need positive response from our community - for them to recognize the value of art and to want a piece of it."
The folks at Art 4 were proud to serve as the trail's focal point and launching pad that evening.
"We're just thrilled to be a part of this," said Sue Simon Port, who co-owns the gallery with Jody Christen. "We're part of their trail because we feature many of the artists they're recognizing. I think it's going to bring a lot of people to the area."
The drive along Route 22 contains scenic vistas of rolling countryside and quaint hamlets, all made more distinct by the insertion of unique retail opportunities, said Claudia Montero Pequignot, public relations director at ARC, adding that Art 4's goal of creating awareness of local artists and their art coincided with ARC's desire to do the same.
"The timing of this worked out great, because we're launching the Artisan Trail project and our Web site all on the same night," she said. "We chose this location because Art 4 is one of our market places - midway between Huntingdon and Johnstown."
Tyne Replogle, a 25-year-old musician from Roaring Spring, also was on hand to provide a musical backdrop to the evening's celebration.
Outside the gallery's storefront, with banjo in hand, she played songs from a variety of genres, including Irish folk, progressive bluegrass and classical.
"This is my first experience with (the Artisan Trail), but I think it's a great thing," she said. "Music is an artform as well, and it's great to get all this art and talent out there. We came here tonight to show another dimension of art and cultural heritage."
Mirror Staff Writer Jimmy Mincin is at 946-7460.
