By Lyndsey Gilpin
Walking along the sidewalk of Old Louisville, the smell of roasted almonds and perfume wafted in the sharp October air. With the sunlight casting glares upon works of stained-glass lamps, while the cool breeze blew, it seemed like the perfect setting for an artist to finish his canvas painting. These unique images, nearly painting a work of art on their own, could only be found during one weekend every year, at the St. James Court Art Show.
Alongside a diverse group of visitors, hundreds of various types of art could be found this past weekend–including watercolors, sculpting and copper molding. One booth held African art made with weeds and different types of wood. Another presented six-foot horses made of horseshoes and scrap metal. All mediums were intertwined, to show what all the artists seemed to have in common: passion.
However, it wasn’t just art and artists to be found on the streets, as University of Louisville students came to enjoy the show.
Held in the heart of Old Louisville, among some of the largest Victorian homes in the city, the St. James Court Art Show annually hosts over 750 artists, with this year being its 53rd show.
Over 175,000 people attend the art show each year. On the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 3, children, locals, dog-walkers, passersby and visitors to the city could be found shoulder-to-shoulder.
Some felt that affordable pieces were not available and the entire fair was targeted towards anyone but young adults. This may have been a result of the new ordinance, put into effect before the fair, that banned unlicensed vendors from being within 100 feet of the actual event.
Sophomore art major Clinton McKay set up his booth in his friend’s front yard, three blocks from the St. James Court. He was frustrated because his affordable artwork that he worked hard to complete was just passed by.
“A lot of people ignore me, thinking I’m just trying to sell something,” said McKay. “I want feedback on my art, which is cheap to give.”
Since most of the fair was composed of expensive artwork, many did not walk away with purchased items.
“It’s mainly for contact,” said Terri Jo Ross, a local artist and fair participant. “Most people don’t walk around with $500 on them.”
Howevers, the visitors seemed happy with the show again this year.
“The size of the event and quality of art stood out to me,” said Mark Woodcock, a first-year medical school student at U of L. “Some of it wasn’t exactly for me, but there’s something for everyone.
