The Shoreline Arts Trail’s 26th annual Open Studios Weekend happens right in your backyard, Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, from 10am to 4pm. The ArtsTrail will feature 38 shoreline artists in Branford, Guilford, and Madison, Connecticut and is supported by thirteen local business sponsors.

This juried event gathers some of the finest, award-winning, professional artists on the shoreline whose work must reflect mastery of methods and materials, originality of concept, and be handmade by the artist in his/her studio.

• What you’ll find…one-of-a-kind, quality-made items in a wide range of media including painting, jewelry, sculpture, fiber, glass, pottery, metal, and textiles.

• What you’ll experience…a chance to talk one-on-one with artists, see their materials, learn about their process, and explore their private studios as you weave your way around the scenic shoreline.

• What you’ll do…support our arts community, purchase great art made right here in Connecticut, and visit our sponsors which include unique shops and renowned restaurants.

• What else you’ll do…enjoy a FUN and stress-free opportunity to enhance your home with an original work of art or get a head start on holiday shopping.

Our 2026 Sponsors include: Guilford Art Center; BACA; Ferguson & McGuire; Carol Grave; Guilford Racquet Club, Irene Keene, Realtor with Coldwell Banker; Lela & Matt’s Car Care Clinic; Levlup Family Fitness; Mary Pont, Realtor with Sotheby’s; MoJoe’s Gym; Serve and Smash; Tommy Sullivan’s Café; and Page Hardware & Appliance Co.

“Shoreline ArtsTrail’s Open Studios Weekend is a rare chance to step into the creative world of local professional artists in their private studios—and a perfect opportunity to discover meaningful, one-of-a-kind art that will enrich your home or office,” says member artist Eileen Eder.

The Shoreline ArtsTrail was started in 2001 by a small group of shoreline artists. Their intent was to create an annual open studios event to allow local residents and weekend visitors to interact with artists and experience the creative process first-hand. Now in its 26th year, the Shoreline ArtsTrail has become a carefully juried group so that every studio the public visits will be a wonderful experience and totally worth their time. This year there are 38 artists participating. The artists work in various media including painting, ceramics, wood, glass, textiles, printmaking, collage, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. During Open Studios Weekend, the colorful yellow “Open Studio” signs point you to all of these artists and studios.

The Open Studios weekend runs November 14 & 15 from 10am to 4pm, is free, and allows art lovers to meet artists in their private workspaces, ask questions, and learn about their techniques. Everyone, including children, are welcome to look and learn and perhaps purchase unique, handmade art for their home or holiday gifts.

Trail maps are available at libraries, town halls, and sponsor locations in Branford, Guilford and Madison. For details on the Open Studios weekend, locations for a paper map, a printable map and artist profiles, visit www.shorelineartstrail.org, instagram @shorelineartstrail, or their Facebook page.