ARTrails of Southwest Washington began highlighting the artists and the arts in the greater Lewis County region in 2002. Since then we’ve become a group of artists working in highly diverse art genres.
ARTrails is a community of emerging and established artists who live and work in the greater Lewis County area. Through the annual Studio Tour, held the 3rd and 4th weekends of September, ARTrails provides an opportunity for the public to meet artists in their studio/workplace and to observe works in progress and purchase work directly from the artists. ARTrails promotes the art and work of member artists through exhibits, workshops, and educational programs in coordination with area businesses, schools and organizations.
ARTrails was conceived in 2003, over burgers and beers at a local burger joint in Toledo, WA. Over the years, this small group of artists with a dream has grown into the cultural icon of Lewis County.
ARTRails will be celebrating its 24th Annual Studio Tour in September 2026I
Join us for the 2026 Open Studio Tour on September 18-19 and September 25-26. Studios are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Don’t miss the ARTrails Opening Gala on Friday, September 18 from
5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the beautiful Exhibition Gallery located in Centralia’s Historic Train Depot (210 Railroad Avenue, Centralia WA).
Following the Gala, the Depot exhibit will be open September 19-26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Gather your friends and discover unique pieces of art as you explore southwest Washington and meet many of its artists. Plan to spend a delightful fall weekend driving through the region’s historic communities and scenic countryside
Begin your tour experience by seeing representative work of each artist at the Exhibition Gallery in the Historic Train Depot in Centralia. Following the Gala, the Depot exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September 19-26. Discover a diverse array of artwork from ARTrails artists, with most pieces available for purchase. Small works of art are also available at a minimum donation of $20 to support the Kelly Cowan Scholarship Fund.
While on the tour, enjoy an amazing diversity of art forms, visit with the artists, and watch them at work in their studios as they express themselves in painting, sculpture, glass, jewelry, pottery, mixed media, fiber art, carved or turned wood, enameling, metal, and photography.
ARTrails artists regularly engage in art and cultural activities throughout the region whenever possible, such as community celebrations, gallery show openings, farmers markets, etc. A newest initiative in 2026 has been a wide range of art workshops offered by ARTRails artists in Chehalis City Parks for children, youth, and adults. Check our events page for upcoming opportunities.
ARTrails strives to support its artists with opportunities for lifelong learning and development. Recent initiatives have included an in -depth live webinar with American Master Impressionist Ned Mueller and group trips for collaborative viewing and exploration, such as the Portland Art Museum and Monarch Sculpture Park near Olympia.
Kelly Cowan was a prolific artist, potter, and craftsman. He was a founding member of ARTrails and worked as a studio potter with Richard and Susan Roth at Grand Prairie Designs in Winlock WA. When he passed away in 2007, ARTrails established The Kelly Cowan Memorial Art Scholarship Fund.
In the beginning Kelly’s remaining work was sold and 100% of the sales went to the scholarship fund. Every year since, members have made miniature art for display and for sale at the annual ARTrails Gala and the Historic Centralia Train Station Gallery which is open from 10-5 starting Saturday September 18 through September 27, 2026.
ARTrails is grateful for generous donations to the scholarship fund from the James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust and to Margi and John Long of Chehalis whose donations help support future generations of artists.
The ARTrails Kelly Cowan Memorial Scholarship Fund gives two scholarships each year: One is given to a Centralia College student and is managed by the Centralia College Foundation. The other is given to a high school graduate who chooses to attend any college, university, or art school in the country.
Travel through scenic rural areas and historic cities and towns in and around Lewis County, Washington, and visit artists at
Meet artists in the ARTrails Studio Tour and Exhibition Gallery
Please support the businesses and communities that have so generously supported us!
