
The 2021 award-winning St. James Court Art Show plans its return the first weekend in October.
A favorite autumn ritual for 65 years, thousands of art lovers are expected to canvas the streets of the historic Old Louisville neighborhood Oct. 1-3 during the fine arts and contemporary crafts show. The show was canceled as an in-person event in 2020 amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The three-day event, which includes visual arts, crafts, food and drink, typically attracts more than 250,000 visitors and more than 600 artists from around the United States.
As always, admission to the juried art show is free. The outdoor event takes place rain or shine in the beautiful Victorian neighborhood several blocks south of downtown Louisville.
“This time-honored tradition of locals, visitors and hundreds of unique artists gathering in a historic neighborhood make this festival truly standout year after year as a must-see event,” said Cleo Battle, president & CEO of Louisville Tourism. “I couldn’t be prouder to welcome all of our guests to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Louisville’s award-winning St. James Court Art Show.”
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The renowned art show has been named the No. 1 “Best Fine Art and Design of the Past 10 years” by artist subscribers of the Sunshine Artist magazine. St. James Court Art Show has also been awarded the No. 3 “All-Time Favorite Best of Show of All Time,” as voted on by Sunshine Artist magazine artists.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2021 St. James Court Art Show
How much does it cost to go to the St. James Court Art Show?
Admission is free, and the art show is a rain or shine event.
When and where is the art show held?
The art show is held Oct. 1-3 in historic Old Louisville, the largest preserved district of Victorian architecture in the United States. The show takes place just south of Central Park on St. James Court, Belgravia Court, Magnolia Avenue, Third and Fourth streets. For GPS purposes use this address: 1402 St James Court, Louisville.
Is there a guide available to find specific arts booths?
For a complete list of artists and food vendors, pick up the complimentary St. James Court Art Show Program, available at Welcome Tents located at St James Court and Magnolia Avenue, Fourth Street and Magnolia Avenue, Third Street and Magnolia Avenue, St James Court and Hill Street Or skip the paper and click on a list of vendors at stjamescourtartshow.com.
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Where do I park for the St. James Court Art Show?
During this three-day event, many streets are closed to parking in the Old Louisville neighborhood. Offsite parking and shuttle options include:
PARC’s Brown Garage at 658 S. Third St. Catch the southbound TARC Lou Lift Bus Shuttle from Third St. and Broadway. Buses circulate approximately every 20 minutes between the Galt House and Churchill Downs.
The stops closest to the Art Show are on First Street at Magnolia Avenue and again at Hill Street. Passengers wishing to return to the garage should catch the northbound Lou Lift Bus at Second and Hill streets.
The last pick-up will be Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 6:20 p.m., and Sunday at 6:15 p.m. Drop-off will be at Fourth Street and Broadway.
Spalding University Parking Lots L and K, 845 S. Third St. (enter from York or Breckenridge) and catch TARC’s southbound Lou Lift Bus Shuttle Service at Third and Breckenridge streets. From this point, the route, circulation times and stops are the same as those from the Brown Hotel garage above.
Additional parking options for St. James Court Art Show
Parking is also available in these private lots. When you pay to park at one of the lots listed below, you are helping various non-profit organizations raise funds:
- Cochran Elementary School: 500 W. Gaulbert Ave.
- DuPont Manual High School: 120 W.Lee St.
- Youth Performing Arts School: 1517 S. Second St.
- Noe Middle School: 121W. Lee St.
- Louisville Woman’s Club: behind 1322 S. Fourth St.
Handicapped Parking
Handicapped Parking is available on the east side of Sixth Street (along Central Park) between Park and Magnolia avenues and the north lane of Hill between Sixth and Third streets.
What is not allowed at the art show?
Sorry, no pets are allowed, outside of service animals, at the St. James Court Art Show.
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What is the 2021 watercolor print?
Watercolor artist, Mark D. Bird has created the official 2021 St. James Court Art Show print, “The Inescapable Charm of the Cawein House, ca 1958.”
The second print in the collectible watercolor print series titled, “A Sense of Place: A Collection of Fine Art Prints,” has replaced the annual St James Court Art Show poster competition. The series acknowledges the significance of the Old Louisville neighborhood where the art show is located.
The scene depicted in the 2021 painting is the interior of the living room on the first floor of the Cawein House, as though the viewer was standing at the fireplace mantel.
“A Sense of Place” print series features the high-quality giclee fine art reproductions in signed and numbered editions of 100 prints and can be purchased at stjamescourtartshow.com or during the St. James Court Art Show for $200 each.
The reproductions are printed on 100% cotton rag archival paper, using pigmented inks that offer lightfastness up to 200 years. Each print also receives an original pencil remarque by the artist to assure its authenticity.
Stephen W. Brown will contribute his original research into Old Louisville and St. James Court history by writing about the subject of each year’s print edition. Each print in this collection is released on an annual basis for a period of 10 years.
Reach Kirby Adams at [email protected] or Twitter @kirbylouisville.
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/events/things-to-do/2021/09/20/st-james-court-art-show-2021-dates-parking-artists/5590248001/