| Artist Mark Bird Commissioned for Prestigious Honor |
| Louisville, Kentucky (March 20, 2019) – When the first weekend of October arrives, art enthusiasts from all corners of the country flock to the St. James Court Art Show. Many rush to the art show’s merchandise tent to purchase the official St. James Court Art Show poster of the year, which has become a collectible piece for many. Those attending this year’s St. James Court Art Show will have the opportunity to begin a new tradition of collecting. St. James Court Art Show Executive Director, Howard Rosenberg and the members of the art show consortium are replacing the print competition with a new concept to recognize the significance and irreplaceability of the neighborhood in which the art show is located. “We owe future generations the documentation of such a significant location. To those involved in the art show, the location is an integral part of the actual event itself,” said Rosenberg. That is why they commissioned Mark Bird, renowned watercolor artist and nephew of St. James Court Art Show founder, Malcolm Bird, to create the new St. James Court Art Show print series. “This is a collection that will feature the architecture of St. James Court, not graphic interpretations of the art show, but fine art of this stunning place. It will celebrate the architectural and historical significance of St. James Court and make some surprising discoveries along the way,” said Mark Bird. Originally, the St. James Court Art Show print competition began in 1995 when Susan Coleman and Gwynne Potts asked Mark Bird to assist them launch this new phase of the official art show poster. Mark and Sonny Whittle had specifically produced silkscreen posters in the years 1981-1987 . The new competition guidelines would allow all print medium. The competition continued until 2016, the 60th Anniversary of the Show, when Mark Bird was commissioned to produce the print for the occasion. This new print collection will feature the highest-quality giclee fine art reproductions in signed and numbered editions of 100 prints. These reproductions will be printed on 100% cotton rag archival paper, using pigmented inks which offer lightfastness up to 75 years. Each print will also receive an original pencil remarque by the artist to assure its authenticity. Stephen W. Brown will be contributing his original research into Old Louisville and St. James Court history by writing about the subject of each year’s edition. Each print in this collection will be released on an annual basis for a period of ten years. The inaugural print of the collection will be unveiled to the public at an event prior to the St. James Court Art Show. Details regarding the 2019 St. James Court Art Show print unveiling will come at a later date. The 63rd annual St. James Court Art Show takes place on Friday, October 4th and Saturday, October 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Admission is free, and the art show is a rain or shine event held in historic Old Louisville, one of the largest preserved districts of Victorian architecture in the United States. In addition to the plethora of local Kentucky artists, hundreds of artists travel to Louisville from all around the world to participate in this incredible show, and only about one in four that apply are selected to show their work at St. James Court Art Show. During this three-day event guests will discover unique works of art in 17 artistic mediums, from clay to wood, and everything in between. Food and drink from local vendors will also be available for purchase. For more information about the St. James Court Art Show, visit stjamescourtartshow.com and follow on Facebook at facebook.com/StJamesCourtArtShow. About St. James Court Art Show The St. James Court Art Show® is a juried fine arts and contemporary crafts show held among the country’s largest collection of Victorian homes in the heart of historic Old Louisville. St. James Court Art Show® was founded on October 12, 1957 by St. James Court Association president, Malcolm Bird. Back in 1957, St James Court Association was faced with an empty treasury, mounting debt for recent fountain repairs, and an immediate need to generate funds. The Art Show seemed to be a perfect means to generate funds and bring residents together. For over 60 years, the first full weekend in October has meant that it’s St. James Court Art Show time. What originally began as a way to pay the bills has become an autumn tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to see (and purchase) original art from talented artists. About Mark D. Bird, NWS Mark D. Bird, NWS has enjoyed a professional career of over forty years as a distinguished architectural illustrator and designer, working with many of the world’s foremost architects and designers. Additionally, Mr. Bird has produced commemorative edition artworks for public and private events, businesses, agencies and a multitude of other clientele. His works hang in private and corporate collections around the globe. In 2017, he began the next chapter of his life as a fine artist, focusing on the art of architecture. He travels the world in search of inspiring, architecturally significant subjects and records his visions through his skillful style and inherent senses of emotion and interpretation. Mark is the recipient of many awards , including but not limited to: 2019 American Watercolor Society 152nd Annual International Exhibition for “Via Rosina, Florence, Italy”, 2018 National Watercolor Society 98th International Open Exhibition for “Sunrise in Montepulciano, Italy”, 2018 National Watercolor Society Signature Membership, the BoldBrush Painting Competition, August 2018 for Outstanding Watercolor , “ Via Dei Montanini, Siena, Italy”. Mark also was the “Winner, Overall Best, 21st Annual Show Poster Contest”, Sunshine Artist Magazine, cover painting “St. James Court Art Show 2016 .” To learn more about Mark Bird visit www.markdbird.com , follow him on Facebook.com/markdbirdfineart and on Instagram at @markdbird.nws. About Stephen W. BrownStephen W. Brown is a Board member of the Louisville Historical League and has written and spoken on various topics of local history. His eclectic background includes teaching in the Philosophy Department at UofL; working as a professional musician and managing a major label artist; and working in various capacities in film, tv, and music video productions. While his higher education was financed in part by digging graves, these days he focuses on digging up fascinating and forgotten stories improperly interred. |
