Oxford Handcrafted Trail a guide to creative works and experiences

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

Tourism Oxford’s newest trail, the Oxford Handcrafted Trail, encompasses more than 30 local businesses and creators offering creative works to purchase and immersive learning experiences in creative arts.

The trail, partly funded by the Ontario provincial government’s Rural Ontario Development program, was launched in the fall and connects tourists to Oxford County to local makers and hands-on opportunities part of the handcrafted arts sector. The Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs provided $32,000 in funding for the launch of the trail.

"Working in tourism, you get to meet a lot of interesting people across the region and we’ve met a lot of very creative individuals involved in the handcrafted arts so we saw an opportunity to share the story of what's available in Oxford County for visitors,” said Meredith Maywood, tourism manager of Oxford County.

The Oxford Handcrafted Trail highlights makers in Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, and elsewhere using media like woodworking, metalwork, fibre arts, pottery, and other visual arts. Local authors and creators selling their works online are also included on the trail, along with creative events, workshops, and open houses within the region.

"The creative economy is a very valuable part of Oxford County and there's a lot of opportunity for growth potential,” Maywood said. “When you talk about from an economic impact, it's going to have a great benefit for the community, but the real pleasure is people get to have an immersive experience and get to meet the makers here, hear the stories and quite often, they get to try their hand at these activities as well."

Already, Tourism Oxford is looking for more creators to join the Oxford Handcrafted Trail in 2027.

“We want people to reach out to us if they're curious about how they can be involved. We can put them in touch with places that sell local makers’ work,” said Maywood. “We can explain what is required to be a stop on the trail, and we can just share information and hopefully people make connections and grow the handcrafted industry here."

More information about the Handcrafted Trail can be found online by visiting https://www.tourismoxford.ca/explore/handcrafted-trail.