Dutchess County, New York artisans invite you to take a self-guided tour of crafts and visual arts facilities by following the newly published Crafts and Arts Trail Brochure. The four-color publication includes a map with suggested stops so you can map out your own unique, creative adventure. The Crafts and Arts Trail winds through the beautiful Dutchess countryside, past the Hudson River, pastoral farms, great estates and the Berkshire Mountain foothills. Dutchess County is only 90 minutes from either the New York Metropolitan area or Albany, in the Hudson Valley region.

The Trail is made up of 26 different places at which visitors can stop. Each listing contains a brief description of the site's crafts or works, contact information and photos of the artwork. Profiled are individual artist's studios, craft industries, retail stores and artists' cooperatives. Each specializes in locally produced, handmade objects made from glass, pottery, metal and other materials. Photographers, fine artists, jewelers and candle-makers are also represented. Galleries and museums are listed in the brochure as are annual craft events and festivals. Detailed directions make it easy to get to Dutchess County, which is served by air, rail and bus lines.

Skilled craft work has always been a part of the culture and economy of the region: basket-makers and blacksmiths, potters and furniture makers have served their neighbors' needs and made a living from their work since the first Europeans settled the area. At the beginning of the 21st century, crafts meet a different set of needs. Utility and function are still important considerations, but tradition and delight are also essential qualities. Tradition means carrying on an ethnic or family heritage, or expressing the skills learned from a master artisan. Crafts also have the capacity to fill you with delight or awe, make you laugh or recall a memory, or simply be the perfect item you've been seeking.

The brochure is a collaborative effort between the Dutchess County Arts Council and Dutchess County Tourism Promotion Agency. Additional support for this project was provided by a grant from the Cultural Tourism Initiative, a project of the Arts & Business Council and New York State Council on the Arts. Additional funding was contributed by Dutchess County government.

Karen Woods, executive director of the Dutchess County Tourism Promotion Agency, said, "This becomes an important new creation to offer visitors as one of our diverse tourism opportunities. It combines Dutchess County's many and wide-ranging craft and visual artists with our scenic beauty, plus the desire of many visitors to purchase items to remind them of their journey. The brochure is being supported by an adverting campaign and will be promoted to group tour operators, travel writers and individual travelers. We believe it offers another excellent reason to extend a visit - or return - to Dutchess and will generate additional income for our county and for participating arts businesses."

Dutchess Arts Council president Sherre Wesley said, "It's been a collaborative effort and one that truly involved all segments of the community - from our funders to the participating arts businesses and the many artists who create the artwork people will want to see and buy."

The brochure is available for free by calling 800/445-3131, or order it online.