Over 66 years of tradition

Since 1957 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.

The show has also been recognized for many awards throughout the years, including:

2022 – #2 “Best Fine Art and Design Show” – Sunshine Artist Magazine
2021 – #2 “All-Time Favorite Best of Show of All Time” – Sunshine Artist Magazine
2021 – #1 “Best Fine Art and Design Show of the Past 10 Years” – Sunshine Artist Magazine
2020 – Fine Art Event of the Year – USA – LUX Life Magazine
2020 – Voted #1 “Best Fine Art and Design Show Of The Past Ten Years” 2010-2020 – Sunshine Artist Magazine
2020 – Second Place, 200 Best Fine Art & Design Shows – Sunshine Artist Magazine
2020 – Second Place, Best Arts & Crafts Fair – KY Living Magazine
2019 – Mark Bird’s Print voted “Best Original Artwork” in the Sunshine Artist Magazine Poster Contest
2019 – First Place, 200 Best Fine Art & Design Shows – Sunshine Artist Magazine
2019 – Named one of “America’s Best Art Fairs” as chosen by the readers of ArtFairCalendar.com
2018 – Twelfth Place, 200 Best Fine Art & Design Shows – Sunshine Artist Magazine

St. James Court Art Show – The Early Years

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 pay the bills and bring residents together.

The Art Show started simply enough. “At first, it was to be an art exhibit only, although open to anyone wishing to enter an exhibit. The pictures were hung on a clothesline extending from tree to tree,” wrote Marguerite Gifford in her 1966 history, St. James Court in Retrospect.

In the early years, music was a part of the Art Show including special programs of chamber music, choral performances, and big band concerts. The Art Show also provided an opportunity to celebrate the history of St James Court. Plaques were placed on certain houses to honor their notable residents – poets, authors, and mayors.

In 1965, the Art Show’s profit was $700, sufficient to purchase and install twenty gas lights the following year. Ms. Gifford wrote, “They shed a gentle twinkling among the trees and a refined illumination giving emphasis to the atmosphere which prevails in the Court.” By 1967, Malcolm’s last year as chair, attendance reached 40,000. According to newspaper coverage, 200 exhibitors offered a “mélange of paintings, antiques, photographs, flowers, painted stones, portrait sketches, ceramic and assorted bric-a-brac.”

The Walking Tour and Cooking Guide of St. James Court declares “Although we are indebted to Malcolm for many things, the Art Show is foremost because we all know without this money-making event we could not have undertaken and completed the expensive projects that have made it possible for us to preserve this landmark (St. James Court).” The momentum of these improvements spurred housing restoration and a rebirth of St. James Court and Old Louisville that continues today.

Building a Cultural and Artistic Legacy

Another era began when Ann Higbie and Oscar Stremmel succeeded Malcolm Bird as Art Show organizers. The two volunteered countless time and energy managing the show for twenty-five years from 1968 through 1992. They led the Art Show to national recognition, a focus on handcrafted art, and, to be sure, increased income. The Art Show tripled in size from 200 to 600 exhibitors. Ann and Oscar are fondly remembered for their accommodating attitude toward artists, visitors, and neighbors. Oscar passed away in 1994 and Ann died in 1995.

In the late sixties, exhibitors were added on Belgravia Court. Connie Light has led the Belgravia Court portion of the show for over forty remarkable years. The greatest pleasure Connie finds in the Show is “opening people’s eyes to the wonder of Old Louisville, the beauty of this jewel of a neighborhood.”

Art Show exhibitors expanded to Fountain Court and Fourth Street in 1975. Mel Young organized the early Fourth Street artists working first with Ann Higbie’s waiting list records. In 1979, Rudy Van Meter and Kitty Clark launched the 1400 Third Street section of the show. By 1994, the show expanded to include artists in the 1300 block of Third Street and at the West End Baptist Church. While these portions are collectively part of the St. James Court Art Show®, exhibitors in each section continue to be managed by their respective neighborhood organizations.

Ellen Patrie, as director, and Byron Wunderlich, as chairman, shared responsibility for the St. James Court Art Show® in 1993 and 1994 and produced the first-ever Art Show Program. During this time, St James Court Association implemented several measures to improve coordination, planning, and quality standards between the show’s participating neighborhood associations.

A Louisville Tradition Reaches National Acclaim

Another phase in Art Show history began in 1995 when Susan Coleman became director of the Art Show. From 1995 to 2004 Susan brought an enthusiasm to the Show that produced numerous improvements for artists and visitors including a professional artist selection jury. In 1995, Gwynne and Grover Potts were instrumental in beginning the annual poster competition.

From 2005 through 2017, the Art Show was directed by Margue Esrock. Under Margue’s watch the show grew to nearly 725 exhibitors and more than 100,000 attendees.

In 2018 Howard Rosenberg became the director of the nationally recognized St. James Court Art Show®. Rosenberg has been an active member of the Old Louisville community since he moved there in the early 80s. He is the former Chair of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council and acting Chair of the Garvin Gate Blues Festival.

“I have felt it important to be involved in this extremely unique and beautiful historic neighborhood. I believe in the value that the SJCAS brings to this region,” says Rosenberg. “To be a part of this great event in a meaningful way is a life’s dream. To be able to contribute to the value that it brings to our community is humbling.”

Like Malcolm, Ann, Oscar and other earlier organizers, Howard appreciates the satisfaction, pride and simple fun experienced by the residents and friends of Old Louisville who put together the annual St. James Court Art Show®.

“The Fountain of St. James Court – And the Birth of the Art Show”

“The Fountain of St. James Court – And the Birth of the Art Show” is a short documentary chronicling the development of the land that became St. James, Belgravia, and Fountain Courts & the history of the celebrated Fountain at the center. The film also shows the relationship between the Fountain and the birth of the renowned St. James Court Art Show. Much of the real story of the Court(s), the Fountain, and the people who created them is little known; and some of the information included here has never before been published.

In the absence of a public art show this year, we – the team responsible for making this film and the sponsors of it – hope that you might enjoy our contribution your virtual Art Show experience!

Wishing everyone peace & health,

Stephen W. Brown (writer, director, & producer of the documentary)