After its most successful year at 70, what makes St. James Court Art Show endure?

By Louis Taguchi, Arts Angle Reporter

duPont Manual High School, Class of 2028

On opening day of this year’s St. James Court Art Show, rain water gathered on top of artist’s tents, occasionally splashing onto people. On this early October Friday, built-up rain water poured on the streets. Despite these on-and-off rain showers, which were nothing compared to the flash flooding that shut down the 2013 art show, visitors strolled through puddle-ridden streets searching for unique art pieces.

Crowds of visitors enjoying the sunny weather on the second day of St. James Court Art Show. Photo by Louis Taguchi. Courtesy Arts Angle.

On the following two sunny days attendance significantly surged, bringing a record-breaking 250,000 visitors during the show’s three-day run, according to organizers. Some of those visitors, say organizers, also purchased artworks for an average price of $100 or under, according to 37% of responding artists.

For the past 70 years, in October, artists have pitched white tents across many Old Louisville streets to exhibit their art as part of the St. James Court Art Show. Over decades, the show has garnered a reputation among visitors and valued opportunity among artists.

This year, organizers report nearly 41% of responding artists noted their sales beat their expectations. In addition, 33% of responding artists reported earning between $7,000 and $15,000 in the gross sales during the show, with many reporting Saturday being their best sales day in their art show careers.

In addition, show organizers report it had a $5.5 million economic impact on the city this year, according to Louisville Tourism calculations.

Artist Richard Wilson with his work, “Faithful Journey.” Photo by Louis Taguchi. Courtesy Arts Angle.

This show’s success on this milestone anniversary comes the same year a report from Artists, Craftsmen, and Tradesmen Insurance describes the increasing difficulty of making a career as an artist. The report cites challenging factors, including “navigating rising material costs, shifting sales channels, and an increasingly complex risk environment.” The report cites tariffs as one source of rising costs, but also names weather events as the most frequent reason for artists’ damage and loss as demonstrated through claims.

Despite these circumstances, more than 600 painters, ceramists, photographers, weavers, and multi-media artists flocked to this year’s storied art show with hopes of seeing fresh opportunities for new exposure to their work.

Visual artist Richard Wilson was one of the vendors. He works with soft pastels and won a Best-in-Show award in 2019.

“I applied early this year,” he said, “so I made sure I got in. I have a lot of clients from that one year that I was here.”

Several publications, including Sunshine Artist Magazine, have named St. James Court Art Show as one of the country’s best fine art shows. That magazine tallies votes from artists for its rankings. But it's the artists as well as the organizers, volunteers, and neighborhood residents who contribute to the art show’s popularity.

Visitors in 2026 around the St. James Court fountain. Photo by Louis Taguchi. Courtesy Arts Angle.

As a full-time, independent artist, Wilson explains the expenses an artist shoulders to be featured in art shows.

“It costs to apply to the show. It costs to travel to the show, you got the hotel,” he says, “It gets very expensive at these shows. You can easily spend $3,000 to $5,000.”

Although expenses are ticking upward, many people still seek out authenticity.

Wilson paused his participation after 2019 due to COVID, as well as other opportunities, but his patrons urged him to return.

“They reached out to me and said, ‘When are you coming back to St. James?’” he said.

Many other artists agreed the show always yields a strong-buying crowd.

The Artists, Craftsmen, and Tradesmen Insurance report also suggests art and crafts business owners thrive when they “prioritize high-performing events.”

The St. James Court Art Show falls into this category with its large audience. In addition, the pool of artists shape the show’s reputation. Every artist who displays art at St. James is required to undergo a rigorous selection process.

Dulcinea Gurley, the show’s assistant director, says around 500-600 artists apply to be in the St. James Court section, while there are only 245 slots. Around half of those spots go to returning artists accepted by the jury the previous year, so it can be intensely competitive for a new artist to get a spot. She says the demand for a certain standard of art ensures the show delivers high-quality work.

A woman helping out at the booth of Nashville artist Ben Caldwell, who was new to the St. James Court Art Show in 2026. Photo by Louis Taguchi. Courtesy Arts Angle.

Artists also come because of the solid support team behind the scenes. Wilson can tell the team prioritizes artists which makes them feel at ease.

“Just the way that people and artists are treated says a lot,” he said. ”You get different things from different shows, and I like when they really treat the artists well.”

At the St. James Court Art Show, volunteers regularly make rounds to offer artists amenities such as water and snacks. For solo traveling artists, volunteer booth sitters make taking breaks easier. Unlike many other outdoor art shows, St. James has indoor bathrooms available for artists.

However, the added hospitality from the St. James Court neighborhood is what separates this art show from others. Gurley says some residents even let artists stay at their houses, rent electricity to them, and more.

“Yesterday when it was flooding, I made a call and five neighbors descended,” she said. “We got rid of the flooding, because they brought brooms and squeegees. All within 20 minutes.”

Neighborhood members regularly show up for artists, making the show not just a market, but a venue where people connect as a community. Many artists and residents form close bonds during the show.

Each day of the event, long-time St. James Court resident Pam Holladay hosts a free breakfast for artists in her backyard. Art show organizers sponsor the breakfast. Artists get coffee, muffins, and bagels, which they often don’t have at other shows because there is neither enough time nor a designated space. Holladay says she enjoys getting back in touch with familiar faces of returning artists every year.

“Many of them travel on the same shows, but don't have the opportunity to get a bit of coffee together,” Holladay says.

Artist Sidney Spencer with his mixed-media woodcut  mandellas, in conversation with a visitor to his booth at the 2026 St. James Court Art Show. Photo by Louis Taguchi. Courtesy Arts Angle.

In a world where making a living as an artist is challenging, help from dedicated volunteers and local community members goes a long way. For an artist traveling alone, having one more item on the bill covered, like breakfast and coffee, can help immensely.

Funds from the art show go back to the Old Louisville neighborhood to help with upkeep.

“The neighborhood takes care of the grass and the trees and sidewalks,” Holladay says.

She adds that funds generated through the show also support gas lights, the fountain, and the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council, which offers tours of the historic district. The show also funds the St. James Court Scholarship Foundation, which awards University of Louisville student artists.

Throughout the past 70 years, rain or shine, the community’s support has been an essential part of the St. James Court Art Show’s operations and has earned it accolades among artists and patrons. With this kind of support, artists’ imagination, creativity and businesses can continue to shine in Old Louisville as part of this staple autumn event.