St. James Court Art Show
The art and item selection at the show runs from the mundane to the sublime, and the inexpensive to the very expensive. Booths featuring such items as furniture, pottery, jewelry, glassworks, photography and paintings are lined up on streets and sidewalks with ample walk spaces between them to handle large crowds. Booths with the highest showcase quality are situated on St. James Court, Belgravia Court and Magnolia Avenue, while booths on Fourth and Third Streets tend to purvey more consumer-oriented artistic items. The 19th century mansion Conrad-Caldwell House, on St. James Court, is open for tours during the show.
In addition to the various items for sale, the show attracts various state and local politicians, charities, churches, radio stations and publishers who take the opportunity to promote themselves to the public.
The event is sponsored by various corporate donors. There are various awards given out for "Best of Show," "People's Choice," the poster contest and several scholarships. The show has been ranked #1 in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine.
Being held in the neighborhood Old Louisville has a particular significance because the St James Art show was founded in order to produce revenue and sustain the surrounding area. Old Louisville at the time the St James Art Show was created was in a financial decline; however, today it is known as one of the most popular areas of Louisville. Old Louisville became a historic district in 1975, and also has the United States largest collection of Victorian style homes. The art show is almost exclusively outdoors.
The 2020 show went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 2021 show resumed in person.
See also
References
- ^ "About Us". St James Court Art Show. Archived from the original on 6 December 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- Heilenman, Diane (2006-09-30). "St. James' fame; Three artists offer views about the show's popularity". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
- Kleber, John E., ed. (2001). "St. James Court Art Show". The Encyclopedia of Louisville. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky. p. 777. ISBN 0-8131-2100-0. OCLC 247857447.