Delaney Henon

The St. James Court Art Fair gives Louisville access to countless local and independent artists.

On Oct. 3, the 69th St. James Court Art Show opened to the public in the heart of Old Louisville. With an annual attendance of 250,000 people and a title of the Second Best Fine Art and Design Show from Sunshine Artist magazine, the celebration has become a staple of Louisville fall and a major help to local art businesses.

The festival hosts over 600 artists from all over the country, showcasing various art forms such as painting, photography, ceramics, glasswork, metal art and clothing making. No two booths are the same. One booth could display photos of nature and cityscapes, while the next could exhibit ornate handmade jewelry. Additionally, almost every booth sells their art, allowing visitors to take home their favorite pieces.

On top of all the other opportunities St. James Court Art Show provides, they also shine light on young, aspiring artists. While booths must be registered through an adult, kids and teens are still able to flaunt their art. For instance, the Visual Arts magnet at Manual High School has a booth dedicated to student art at all grade levels, skills ranging from ceramic-making to self portraits. 

St. James Court Art Show also hosts numerous local bands, dancers and acting groups in the Performance Village in Central Park. All entertainment showcased depicts abundant cultures and social groups like Lost Tribe Louisville, Lunar Lion Dance, Drag Daddy Productions, UofL African American Theatre Program and Hui Kaululehua. The Performance Village has plenty of places to sit, providing a perfect place to relax and enjoy arts that can’t be purchased at a booth.

They seek to have the same amount of diversity in their food as in their performances and booths. The organizers seek to eliminate the typical “fair food” from the show. This is ever-present in the vast amount of options provided, ranging from island noodles to gourmet burgers. 

The St. James Court Art Show is a great way to experience the creative side of Louisville with events throughout the entire weekend. Next year’s St. James Court Art Show will be Oct. 2 to Oct. 4.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Delaney Henon

Lost Tribe performs in St. James’ Performance Village.