Chamber of Commerce

Visitors Guide cover unveiled at gallery

The Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism Office and the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts teamed up with local artist Bob Oswald for a first-ever public unveiling of Visitors Guide as the focal point of an art exhibit on March 9 at the Livingston Arts Center.

“To feature a visitor’s guide as ‘art’ in an art exhibit is a state first in New York State tourism promotion,” said Lisa Burns, Livingston County Tourism Director.

The guide was unveiled during the opening reception entitled “Art in Tourism: Livingston County Landscape as Canvas, Tourism as Subject and the Photographer’s Eye” show at the Livingston Art Center, which features photos of the county’s many attractions Oswald took for the guide. Additional photos taken by Mr. Oswald from previous guides where also on display.

In addition to being part of its first art show, this year’s guide also has a few new features and layout changes, including a new ad format. In previous guides, towns had full-page ads, but this year, all of the ads are the same size, creating a uniform look while highlighting images of scenery and people enjoying activity.

In addition to displaying beautiful photography, the 2012 guide also tells a story. The cover shows a couple standing by their motorcycle and marveling at the beautiful scenery around them.

On the inside cover, the couple enjoys a meal at the North Shore Grill on Conesus Lake. The cover also folds out to reveal a map of the county. A few pages later, the same couple is shown checking into a hotel, ready to spend a restful night in Livingston County.

While they check in, they discuss how to spend their next day. Finally, the couple decides to go on a hot air balloon ride and come back to the county soon to have another “field day.”

Another new feature of the 2012 guide is a two-page “Heritage Trail” spread—a collaboration with the county historian and the Livingston County Historical Society and Museum—which lists all the county’s museums and features vintage photos of the area.

Designed by Cindy Harris of Harris Studios, Inc. in Fishers., the guide showcases the many attractions and events that make Livingston County the perfect vacation and “staycation” destination.

Available locally at stores and attractions, the 2012 guide is also distributed at over 650 area outlets. It can also be downloaded online at fingerlakeswest.com.

Free copies may be requested online or by calling 585-243-2222.

Bob Oswald’s photos will be on display and can be purchased with all proceeds going to the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts at the Livingston Arts Center on Murray Hill in Mount Morris until March 31.