The River to Bay Artisan Trail Explores the Middle Peninsula

Gracious Living

The River to Bay Artisan Trail officially opened in July following its inaugural introduction at St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock. With nearly 100 guests, the celebratory event included showcase displays by trail members and the unveiling of the trail’s brochure and map. This new trail is an initiative of The Artisans Center of Virginia and participating members, along with the Counties of Gloucester, Essex, Middlesex and Mathews (The GEMM of the Middle Peninsula).

The River to Bay Artisan Trail is a regional trail featuring 97 participating sites, composed of artisan studios, agri-artisan farms, restaurants, lodging, and other points of interest in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula region. Along with promoting the visibility and sales of local artisan-related products, the River to Bay Artisan Trail also provides an important boost to the area’s general tourism industry by extending visitor stays in the community and increasing the region’s attractiveness as a tourist destination. Details on participating sites are found online at RivertoBayArtisanTrail.org and the Trail’s brochure/maps are available at local trail sites, tourism outlets and Virginia Welcome Centers.

St. Margaret’s School provided the perfect backdrop against the shores of the Rappahannock River — encapsulating the trail’s River to Bay theme. During the inauguration, trail members had the opportunity to network with fellow trail participants, the community’s trail leadership, and other invited guests. Everyone enjoyed mingling among the trail’s creative artwork, scrumptious signature dishes and delicious award-winning wines.

Virginia’s Middle Peninsula offers an unforgettable natural experience along the region’s creeks, rivers and bays. Experience the time-honored history and traditions up-close and personal and find something for everyone — nature lovers, artists, history buffs, boaters, and wanderers alike — all while enjoying breathtaking vistas and the simple pleasures of nature that river country has to offer.

“Virginia’s Middle Peninsula is a coastal hideaway begging to be explored and a true haven for artists. I am thrilled to be sharing our artisan traditions and creativity through the Artisan Trail network,” said Pam Doss, executive director at the Bay School Community Arts Center in Mathews.

The culture of the Virginia artisan inspires appreciative audiences for its unique products, while expressing a distinctive way of life. It invokes a natural order, firmly woven into the daily fabric of an artisan’s life, embracing the familiar relationship between the acts of creating and living. It’s a culture that links the past, present and future, and reconciles “meaning” with “making.” Virginia artisans are skilled individuals imparting distinctive qualities into their creations. They approach their work with passion and are willing to share their stories with those they meet.

The Artisans Center of Virginia (ACV) has created 18 of the now 32 community-focused Artisan Trails across the Commonwealth of Virginia, in addition to the Virginia Oyster Trail. The trails provide tools to creative and agricultural artisans, as well as support hospitality and culturally aligned businesses to better market themselves and collaborate with each other in a shared effort to increase tourism engagement.

The ACV develops and implements systems and strategies to improve economic outcomes for Virginia artisans and their communities while assisting them in promoting their local artisan culture. As the official state-designated non-profit dedicated to providing opportunities for Virginia artisans (creative and agricultural) and to the benefit of the communities in which they reside, ACV is implementing a defined plan of strategic initiatives across the Commonwealth. For more information, visit ArtisansCenterofVirginia.org or follow on Twitter @ACVArtisans or @VAArtisanTrails.

“Capitalizing on a community’s unique assets is crucial to its overall economic vitality,” said Jenny Crittenden, executive director of the Main Street Preservation Trust in Gloucester. “With a statewide focus on the creation of wine trails, history trails, oyster trails and now artisan trails, it gives us a chance to highlight how the arts are woven into our community. We are thrilled to partner to showcase the talent of our local artisans while inviting others to experience the Gloucester Village and all it has to offer,” she added.

“I see the Artisan Trail as a powerful marketing tool for organizations like the Tappahannock Artists Guild. However, it should also provide a wonderful opportunity for all of us to share resources throughout the Middle Peninsula, enhancing the quality of life for those who live here while attracting visitors to our beautiful, historic region,” said Frank Rixey of the Tappahannock Artists Guild.

“We are very excited about kicking off the new River to Bay Artisan Trail,” said Michelle Brown, economic development and tourism coordinator for Middlesex County. “Our trail captures the coastal art and the river way of life. Middlesex County has over 25 members on the trail including stained glass art, a wood crafter, galleries and our very own fine arts festival, ‘Arts in the Middle,’ held the first weekend in June each year. The trail is the perfect way to schedule your getaway itinerary for a fun-filled weekend.”

The River to Bay Artisan Trail Action Team (in alphabetical order):

* Emily Allen, Mathews County Visitor and Information Center

* Michelle Brown, Middlesex Economic Development & Tourism

* Denise Carter, Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism

* Pam Doss, Bay School Community Arts Center

* Lori Dusenberry, The Inn at Tabbs Creek

* George Jennings, Jennings Fine Art

* Alexis Powell, The Nurtury

* Frank Rixey, Tappahannock Art Guild

* Celane Roden, Arts in the Middle

* R.D. Thompson, Caret Cellars

* D’Arcy Weiss, Artisans Center of Virginia.