The WeHa Artists Emporium’s semi-annual Art Trail event will include a visit to two locations in the neighborhood near West Hartford’s Morley School, and an assortment of fun activities.

einamade at the Art Trail. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

The WeHa Artists Emporium was just a dream in August 2014, and now celebrating its 10th anniversary is preparing to host the annual Fall Art Trail on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“I knew a bunch of artists in West Hartford, but there wasn’t much of a local art scene,” recalled local artist Stefanie Marco, who launched the WeHa Artists Emporium with a core group of other artist friends. The group was intended to inspire as well as support local artists, and over the past decade the group has curated art shows, hosted artist mingles, created community art events such as scavenger hunts, and during the pandemic started what has now become the semi-annual Art Trail.

Stefanie Lantz of Kindspin Design is one of the founders of WeHa Artists Emporium. Courtesy photo

The Art Trail is held outdoors, at the homes of local artists. “So many artists lost their revenue streams when shops and galleries closed,” Marco said. “The group wanted to create a safe way for artists to sell their work and for the art-loving community to shop safely.”

“The first year was a love fest,” Julie Phillipps, a founding member of the WeHa Artists Emporium said. “Everyone was so happy to see each other again.”

While the safety protocols of the pandemic years have eased, the spirit of the event remains fun and adventurous. “Our goal is to sell art but make it fun,” said Marco.

Small State Provisions will provide artisan baked goods at the WeHa Artists Emporium’s Fall Art Trail. Courtesy photo

Some past Art Trail events have included live music, tarot card readers, and henna tattoos. She said this year artistically-created and delicious baked good from Small State Provisions will be included on the trail, and there will be free mini photo sessions by photographer Seshu Badrinath.

Seshu Badrinath will host free mini-sessions at the Fall Art Trail. Courtesy photo

The Art Trail coincides with and directly follows the final Park Road Parade on Oct. 5. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. and then the Art Trail, which is nearby, begins at 11 a.m. “People can enjoy the parade, then pop up Quaker Lane to the first stop on the Art Trail,” suggested Marco.

Previous WeHa Artists Emporium stop at 35 North Quaker Lane. Courtesy photo

The Fall Art Trail includes two stops this year, each filled with locally-made artistic wonders, said Marco, who will host her Kindspin Designs creations at 35 North Quaker Lane along with Handmade by Julie Phillipps, WeHa Candle Company, einamade, MAC Boards & Blocks, textile designs by Megan Poulin, Olivia Farrell Jewelry, Small State Provisions, and Seshu Badrinath.

A short drive – or a short autumn stroll away – at 45 Griswold Drive you will find The House She Loved, Heart Stone Gallery, Kimberly Heil, Amy Casazza Art, Joan Blade Johnson Fiber Art, and Crunchy Diva Designs.

Previous WeHa Artists Emporium stop at 45 Griswold Drive. Courtesy photo

In the event of rain, the Art Trail will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the same time.

The WeHa Artists Emporium Art Trail event page on Facebook will include details and the most up-to-date information.

Previous WeHa Artists Emporium Fall Art Trail. Courtesy photo

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