7 Reasons to Visit the Greater Ithaca Art Trail (with Kids)

My kids ask me to buy stuff for them all the time.

But it’s rare that the request (usually for candy or toys — and Max’s LEGO wishlist is endless) actually makes me happy. Like when Miki was standing in front of a big landscape painting by Brian Keeler, turned to me, and said: “That’s so pretty. Can we take it home?”

While I did not happen to have the requisite $2,000 in my purse that day, I was pleased to see my four-year-old engaging with art and enjoying it.

child looking at artist work — Miki is curious about artist Brian Keeler’s work in progress

Growing up in Germany, I lived in a culturally very dense region and was lucky to be exposed to a great variety of art, music, dance, theater etc. from an early age.

Now I’m always looking for ways to give my own kids access to as many such cultural experiences as possible. And luckily, Ithaca has a lot to offer for a town its size — such as the Greater Ithaca Art Trail.

When Miki wanted to start her art collection, we were at Northstar Gallery, one of about 50 studios that make up the trail. Every first Saturday of the month, a number of artists welcome the public to view and learn more about their work.

For people in and around Ithaca, the Art Trail is a great way to explore your community in a new way, and for out-of-towners it’s a fun and different way to visit the area.

And I think it’s a fantastic way to introduce kids to a bunch of different art.

kids in art studio — Max and his buddy at the studio of Max and Mary Ann Bowman

What is the Ithaca Art Trail?

The Greater Ithaca Art Trail was started in 1999 by four artists and has since grown to a juried group of about 50 participants in and around Ithaca, plus a handful of galleries and art collectives.

It is now coordinated by the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County (CAP), which receives support from the New York State Council on the Arts and Tompkins County Tourism Program and gives grants to regional artists and organizations.

You can find a list of all artists who are part of the Art Trail here as well as an Ithaca Art Trail map.

To visit their studios, you have these options:

monthly: On the first Saturday of each month (switching to the second Saturday after July 2023), a few studios open their doors to the public during the day. Check the website for a current list.
October: In the fall, studios open on two weekends, plus you can see a group exhibit at the CAP Artspace in the Tompkins Center for History and Culture and a virtual exhibit online.
year round: by appointment
virtually: Check out ArtTrail.com.

Ithaca Art Trail sign — Look for this sign at participating studios

7 reasons to visit the Ithaca Art Trail

I think you’ll find something of interest for just about anyone on the Art Trail — including for families. Here are some reasons to visit:

You can experience lots of different art. The Art Trail includes artists working in genres from painting to fiber art, quilting, pottery, digital art, mixed media, photography, sculpture, stained glass, jewelry, woodworking, murals, collages, mosaics, furniture, gourd art (!), printmaking, and even music.
It’s free. I appreciate that the Art Trail lets us explore art for free, making it accessible to all. Museum entrance fees can add up quickly for a family (usually worth it, but it can get pricey), so visits to bigger collections may stay a rare treat. The Art Trail is fun and educational at the same time, and you can go again and again throughout the year(s).
You can take art home. If you’re so inclined, there are still ways to spend money: You can buy postcards, prints or original artwork ranging from $10 to $8,000.
It’s convenient. Unlike gallery nights and some other cultural events, the Art Trail takes place during the day, so no worries about bedtimes. If you live in the greater Ithaca area, you’re bound to find a studio within a reasonable drive (or walk!) from your house
You meet the artists. The artists are usually present in their studios, something you don’t normally get at a museum. You can ask all kinds of questions, and they’re happy to chat about themselves, technique, their work, or whatever. It gives another dimension to the art and also offers a new way to experience the community.
You may get inspired to make art yourself. To me, visiting the studios makes art feel more “doable” than seeing it at a museum. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll encounter some amazing works of art on the trail, and there are clearly a lot of skill and years of practice towards mastery involved. At the same time, meeting the artists face-to-face, often in their homes, sometimes getting to watch them at work, and hearing their stories makes the process come to life and may inspire you or the kids to give art a try.
It’s a fun adventure. You can pick a few studios and make them stops on a Saturday driving adventure. Maybe they’ll lead you to villages or parts of town you haven’t explored yet. You can combine them with food stops at new or favorite restaurants, ice cream stands (here is a list of Ithaca favorites), or chocolate shops. Woodworker Robert Roemisch even invites you to wander the trails around his studio in Newfield.

art supplies — Artist Ethel Vrana’s supplies

Tips for creating a good experience

I have a few suggestions to help ensure everyone has a good time (the artists included):

Choose appropriate destinations. You know your kids best. Is a ceramic studio with lots of breakable pieces the best choice, or would photography on a wall, far out of reach, be more suitable?
Chat with your kids before you go about how to be gentle with the art and move with care. Studios can be tight spaces and often they’re the actual work area of the artist, so there may be pieces of art not only on the walls but also stacked on the floor and on shelves. Also keep an eye on them when you’re there.
Go with the flow and keep expectations to a minimum. I had grand visions of discussing paintings with my kids and having them be all engrossed in what they’re seeing. My ideas were quickly put in their place. It’s not that the kids weren’t interested, but they had their own way of engaging. There was lots of flitting about, laughing at funny sculptures, and wanting to touch things. I know that will be different every time and change as they age.

Some ideas for getting the kids involved with the art

The first time I took a kid to a studio, I was pretty unprepared, and the visit didn’t last very long. So I’ve come up with a few ideas to get them more involved with the actual art:

Let the kids help pick out your destinations and design your itinerary.
Do a treasure hunt: How many different animals (or buildings or vehicles etc.) can you find in the various pieces of art?
Ask them how different pieces of art make them feel. Can they find something funny? Sad? Exciting? What about them creates that feeling?
Take a picture of your kid(s) next to their favorite piece of art at each studio. (Double-check if that’s OK first.)
Take a sketch book and pencil to have them collect inspiration for their own works of art once they get home.
Figure out questions your kids can ask each artist to learn more about them and their work.
Let the kids pick a favorite printed art greeting card to send to a friend or family member.

2023 dates for the Ithaca Art Trail

Looking for something to do in Ithaca this weekend? Check if the Art Trail is open:

no event in January

February 4

March 4

April 1

May 6

June 3

July 8 (switching to 2nd Saturdays!)

August 12

September 9

(No first Saturday in October – there will be special event weekends)

November 11

December 9

I’d love to hear your experiences and ideas for enjoying the Art Trail! Which Ithaca artists do you recommend visiting? And what other art trails do you enjoy around the Finger Lakes? Tell us in the comments below.