By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-836553.mp3
Cattaraugus, NY – Thinking about a weekend trip through New York's beautiful southern tier? Well, the Cattauragus County Arts Council has reason for you to go this weekend. And they can help you find your way there.
Spring is here, and that means it is time for the annual artists' open studio tour in Cattaraugus County. Dozens of artists are opening their doors and showing off their wares.
But are you a little intimidated at the idea of navigating your way through the winding, back roads from Ellicottville to Little Valley, Franklinville to East Randolph, Alleghany to Salamanca - the points beyond and in between?
Well, now you can log onto the web and plot your tour with new GPS Point Of Interest, or POI files. Arts Council Executive Director Anne Conroy-Baiter said now visitors can just enjoy the ride through the lovely rolling hills and not worry about getting lost.
The more user-friendly open studio tour is part of a stepped up effort by the county to boost tourism in the southern tier region. Conroy-Baiter said the county wants, literally, to put the arts on the map as a way to encourage a new avenue of economic development.
"According to New York State tracking statistics from last year, during the "Routes to Art" weekend last year we brought in roughly $500,000 dollars just through that one weekend - people coming down to visit, purchasing artwork, visiting our restaurants, buying gas, buying gifts in our gift stores," said Conroy-Baiter.
"So, it's a really powerful mechanism for economic development in our region."
Cultural tourism is an idea others are catching onto as well. Conroy-Baiter said the Seneca Nation is a new partner in the tour this year. There are eleven Native American artists included on the tour, along with more than thirty other artists.
There will be everything from handmade baskets and pottery to fine art. You can pin-point the locations of artists and plot your trip on line. The web address is Routes to Art.
Click the audio player above to hear Joyce Kryszak's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.