Here's your complete guide to the 2021 St. James Court Art Show in Old Louisville

Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal
·6 min read

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?

In an effort to incorporate more sustainable practices into the St. James Court Art Show, the 2022 program will be available online, easy for you to view on your mobile device at bit.ly/3BGu4bI. A scannable QR code which links directly to the program can also be found at various locations throughout the art show.

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Where do I park for the St. James Court Art Show?

Old Louisville is approximately three miles south of downtown Louisville and three blocks north of The University of Louisville. If you choose to search for public on-street parking outside the event perimeter, be certain to wear your walking shoes.

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 is available on the east side of Sixth Street (along Central Park) between Park and Magnolia avenues from 8 a.m. on Sept. 30 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 3 and the north lane of Hill between Third streets and St. James Court from 9 a.m. on OCt. 1 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 3.

What are the no parking areas for the 2021 art show?

From 1 a.m. on Sept. 30 until 9 p.m. on Oct. 3, the following areas allow no parking:

  • Park Avenue (south side) from Fourth Street to Sixth Street

  • Gaulbert Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street

From 1 a.m. on Sept. 30  until 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, the following areas allow no parking:

  • St.James Court from Magnolia Street to Hill Street

  • Magnolia Street from Third Street to Levering Street

From 1 a.m. on Sept. 30 until 10 p.m. on Oct. 3, the following areas allow no parking:

  • Third Street (west side) from Park Avenue to Hill Street

  • Third Street (east side) from Burnett Magnolia to Hill Street

  • Fourth Street from Park Avenue to Hill Street

  • Sixth Street (east side) from Park Avenue to Hill Street

From 9 a.m. on Sept. 30 until 7 p.m. on Oct. 3, the following areas allow no parking:

  • Hill Street from Second Street to Sixth Street

  • Fourth Street (east side) from Hill Street to Gaulbert Avenue

What streets are closed for the 2021 art show?

The following streets are closed from 6 a.m. Sept. 30 until 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 3:

  • Alley between Third Street and Fourth Street from Magnolia Street to Hill Street

  • Alley between Fourth Street and St. James Court from Magnolia Street to Hill Street

  • R Chin Alley from Sixth Street to Hill Street

  • Saint James Court from Magnolia Street to Hill Street

  • Magnolia Street from Third Street to Sixth Street

  • Gaulbert Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street

  • Fourth Street from Park Avenue to Hill Street

  • Sixth Street & Levering Alley

  • Sixth Street & Levering Street

What is not allowed at the art show?

Sorry, no pets are allowed, outside of service animals, at the St. James Court Art Show. For other prohibited items, visit stjamescourtartshow.com.

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What is the 2021 watercolor print?

The 2021 “A Sense of Place Series” by artist Mark Bird. The 32-inches-by-24-inches painting is $200 and available at stjamescourtartshow.com or at the St. James Court Art Show
The 2021 “A Sense of Place Series” by artist Mark Bird. The 32-inches-by-24-inches painting is $200 and available at stjamescourtartshow.com or at the St. James Court Art Show

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 kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville. 

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: St. James Court Art Show 2021: Dates, parking, artists for the event