Get a jump-start on holiday shopping this weekend with some unique, handcrafted gifts on the “2009 Holiday Art Trail,” a coordinated event Saturday and Sunday at nine venues throughout northeast Niagara County.

“My saying is, ‘We have artists for everyone,’ ” said Sally Bisher, assistant executive director of the Market Street Art Center at 247 Market St., Lockport, one of the venues.

“We have art at reasonable prices, and this gives people a chance to look around here,” Bisher said. “It’s also the only time to get into some of the artists’ studios in their homes. We have plenty of maps here for the trail, so this is a good starting point.”

The Kenan Arts Council Holiday Gift Show is another venue on the trail, Bisher said. The gift show runs from 5 to 9 p. m. today, 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Saturday and 11 a. m. to 5 p. m. Sunday on the Kenan Center grounds, 433 Locust St., Lockport.

The Market Street Art Center is home to 30 local artists’ studios; a gift shop featuring the work of an additional 30 artists; and an Artisans’ Alley containing the works of another 11 artists. The center also houses the Flavorful Palette restaurant and a framing studio.

“This is the third year for the Holiday Art Trail, and it has expanded due to a grant from Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, through the New York State Council on the Arts,” Bisher said.

Sue Neidlinger, owner of Shoppe on Main at 2714 Main St., Newfane, will kick off her shop’s participation in the Holiday Art Trail one day early with a special wine and food tasting from 7 to 9 p. m. today. The event will feature wines from Schulze Vineyards and Winery in Burt, and foods from Blackman Farms of Cambria and Murphy Orchards of Newfane.

“We have something for everyone,” Neidlinger said. “We have artwork and gifts in all price ranges. We will also have antiques from Asti Antiques in Tonawanda. Hopefully, people will choose to buy their quality artwork and gifts locally and support our local artists and businesses.”

Jerry and Charlene Ranney, two Newfane artists featured at the Shoppe on Main, helped design the shop’s display case for the event. Jerry is a primitive artist, known for his unique wooden birdhouses, while Charlene is a quilter and painter.

Jerry Ranney has created three large Nativity scenes for the display case this year, each designed for outdoor use.

“I carve them out of pine and paint them with acrylics,” he said. “They’re pretty good size — the manger is about 40 inches tall. I did a manger scene, a shepherd scene and an animal scene with a palm tree.”

“I think this event is a great opportunity for the community and the local artists, because it keeps the shopping local and gives the artists an opportunity to display our wares,” he said.

The open house today at Shoppe on Main also provides a chance for the public to come in and talk to artists, he said.

Nori Bucci, of Niagara Falls, will present her latest piece, a pencil- and-ink drawing entitled “First Steps,” during the open house. She earned first place in the Lewiston Fine Arts Festival in August.

All Holiday Art Trail venues will be open from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Saturday and Sunday and carry copies of the Art Trail map.