Artisans Center of Virginia, localities work to create local 'artisans trail'

With goals of attracting new visitors and supporting local businesses in mind, area localities are teaming up with the Artisans Center of Virginia to create a local “artisans trail.”

Through the project, the center hopes to collectively promote more than 35 studios, galleries and agricultural businesses throughout Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County, said Sherri Smith, the organization’s executive director.

“The goal is to create an agriculture-and-craft destination experience for travelers,” Smith said. “It weaves in lodging, restaurants and points of interest.”

Local artist Lynn Hilton Conyers said she’s excited about the opportunity for people to see artisans working in their studios.

“They’ll get to see and appreciate how they start with a raw material, and the whole process they go through to create a piece,” she said.

A variety of “agri-artisans,” which include businesses such as family farms, orchards, vineyards and breweries, will be included.

Local points of interest, such as bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants and entertainment venues, also will be listed as supporting sites, Smith said.

Once an organization team is in place, the center and localities plan to survey and research potential sites to include in the trail.

The public then will be invited to participate in a workshop to name the trail, and volunteers will be recruited.

Information about trail sites will be available online, and through brochures and other regional promotions. They also will be linked into the Virginia Tourism Corp.’s online trip planner feature, which allows tourists to book hotels, restaurants and activities for vacations in one place.

Waynesboro tourism director Katie McElroy said the localities and the center hope to launch the trail within a year.

In addition to attracting tourists, the project contains an “economic stability component,” Smith said.

“It allows businesses to begin networking and grow,” she said.

Four new operations developed in Southwest Virginia as a direct result of a similar project there, “Round the Mountain,” McElroy said.

The center plans to launch its Monticello Trail soon, which includes sites in Charlottesville, and in Albemarle and Nelson counties.

For more information about the trail, visit artisanscenterofvirginia.org, or call 946-3294.