St. James Court Art Show 2026 - St. James Court Section

This Louisville, Kentucky autumn tradition draws 250,000+ visitors who come to purchase unique handcrafted items directly from the hands that crafted them. Always held the first full weekend of October, the St James Court Section of the St. James Court Art Show has been running continuously for 69 years. Artist amenities include booth sitters, artist breakfast, Indoor Artist Only Facilities, event staff on site all hours of the show and friendly volunteers. A very organized and friendly staff works hard all year long to put on a well-run show.

Applications for the St. James Court Section open JANUARY 1, 2026.  Application Deadline is MAY 1, 2026. Booth Fee Deadline is JULY 1, 2026.
 

 St James Court Section Calendar:

Application opens JANUARY 1, 2026

Application closes MAY 1, 2026

5 person Jury - MAY 8, 2026

Notification of jury status - MAY 15, 2026

Booth Fee Deadline JULY 1, 2026

Cancellation Date- AUGUST 1, 2026

Mandatory Set up Day - Thursday, October 1, 2026

St James Court Art Show -  October 2, 3 & 4, 2026
225 fine artists and contemporary craftspeople from throughout North America are invited to participate in the St. James Court Section of the St. James Court Art Show.  The St. James Court Section reserves at least 50 booth spaces for newly juried artists.

The show is held in the heart of historic Old Louisville, which boasts the largest collection of Victorian homes in the country. Old Louisville is an elegant backdrop for this display of fine arts and crafts, which will be exhibited and sold along Saint James Court, Belgravia Court, Magnolia Avenue and the adjacent blocks of Third and Fourth Streets.

Event organizers work diligently to cater to all artistic preferences and budgets. The result is a tasteful selection of high-quality original works that include 17 medium categories: clay, crafts, clothing/wearable/accessories, fiber, glass, jewelry/fine, jewelry/semi-precious, images 2D, leather, metal, mixed media 2D, mixed media 3D, paper, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood. Proceeds from the show fund various community charities, $58,000 in college art scholarships, neighborhood maintenance and restoration. The art show is a 501(c4).

Admission is free, and this outdoor event is held rain or shine. Pets are not allowed in the show site.

The 70th annual art show is scheduled for October 2, 3 & 4, 2026. Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

FEES and DEADLINES:

APPLICATION FEES: The non-refundable processing/handling fee of $40.00 is required for each application submitted. All artists, including artists invited by the on-site jury from the 2025 art show fill out an application and pay the $40 fee in 2026.
Application Deadline is MAY 1, 2026.   One application per medium category. Applications must be submitted through www.zapplication.org by midnight EST,  MAY 1, 2026. BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT.   JURY REQUIREMENTS: Four individual images of work.  NO COLLAGE IMAGES ACCEPTED. Please be aware that other sections of the St. James Court Art Show use ZAPPLICATION.  NO REFUNDS given for applying to the incorrect section.

A Booth Shot is required. 

THE INFORMATION HEREIN PERTAINS TO THE ORIGINAL AND LARGEST SECTION OF THE ART SHOW THAT BEING THE ST. JAMES COURT SECTION BEGUN IN 1957. OTHER SECTIONS OF THE ART SHOW ARE USING ZAPPLICATION SO PLEASE BE AWARE TO WHICH SHOW YOU ARE APPLYING TO. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR APPLICATION FEES SENT TO THE WRONG SECTION.

JURY: The jury will take place in MAY 8, 2026 for NEW APPLICATIONS.
Invited artists are notified via Zapplication email by MAY 15, 2026.
Wait Listed artists will be notified via Zapplication email. Typically 98% of Wait Listed artists are invited into the show and will be notified by September 1 or sooner of your status.
Artists not accepted to the show, will be notified via Zapplication email.

BAD CHECKS: If a check is returned by our bank, you will automatically forfeit your space in the St. James Court /West End Baptist Church Section of the 2026 Art Show.

SALES TAX: Kentucky law requires collection of a 6% sales tax on all sales made during the Art Show. Artists will receive a KY sales tax form electronically from the  art show. Additional or lost forms can be obtained from KY Taxpayer Service. 502-595-4512.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The art show is produced by a consortium of 5 neighborhood groups. Each section is responsible for its own exhibit space/exhibitors, which total 600 artists spread over 3 blocks. You may apply to any or all of the sections. However, Participation is limited to one section of the art show. Once you pay a BOOTH FEE to a particular section, you are unable to accept an invitation to any other section. Booth Fees are non-refundable in this instance.

WAIT LIST: The Wait List is comprised of artists who have gone through the current year's jury process. The show reserves the right to accept or reject any new or returning exhibitor. During the past three years, an average of 98% of the waitlist have been invited to participate in the show.

SECURITY: A private security firm will provide security during the shows hours of operation; private security is on site after hours. St. James Court is an urban residential area, so reasonable precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of you and your property. All work is exhibited at the artists' own risk. It is required that each exhibitor obtain general liability insurance, as the shows' insurance does NOT extend coverage for exhibit damage or bodily injury.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email to the Executive Director; Howard Rosenberg at howard@stjamescourtartshow.com . Booth fees will be refunded, less $100, prior to August 1, 2026.

No refunds after AUGUST 1, 2026. The booth fee is for exhibit space rental by the applicant ONLY and is not transferable to another exhibitor. If the registrant cannot participate, control of the space reverts back to the show and refunds are made per stated policy. No refunds if inclement weather is experienced during the event.


 

 

RULES OF PARTICIPATION: St. James Court Art Show, Inc.
 ∙ All work MUST be original and of the exhibitor's own crafting; NO BUY/RESELL; NO PRODUCTION OR ASSEMBLY WORK: NO 3D Printing is ACCEPTED.
∙ Commercial or imported items, items made from kits or green-ware, or mass-produced items are NOT accepted. Any person exhibiting arts/crafts that have any resemblance to such items are subject to immediate dismissal from the show.
 ∙ Prints and mechanical offset reproductions (e.g., calendars, note cards, stationery) are allowed, but intent to display them must be clearly stated on the application. Prints must be properly signed and numbered, and prints/reproductions may not comprise more than 25% of the display. (This restriction is not applicable to artwork produced via traditional printmaking techniques (e.g., serigraphy, etching, lithography, etc.).

 WORK PRODUCED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS NOT ACCEPTED.
∙ Musical recordings may not be sold.
∙ No food products may be sold by exhibitors.
 ∙ Artists are to provide their own professional grade10x10 WHITE display tent, racks and/or tables in order to display their work in an outdoor environment. Tent structures are to be of professional-grade and are to be properly weighted with at least 50 pounds on each tent leg.   Booth structure and displays must not exceed limits of assigned space. STAKES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON ST. JAMES COURT.
 ∙ Artists MUST be present and have their booth open for business during all hours of the 3-day event. Any artist that leaves during the show will not be invited back. This rule applies to all sections of the St. James Court Art Show.
∙ Partners listed on application are not allowed to be here in place of the artist of record. Agents for artists, including dealers, frame shops and galleries are not allowed.
∙ Exhibitors will cause no noise which can be heard beyond the perimeters of their own exhibitor space. Hawking of items is prohibited.
∙ Exhibitors may not share booth space unless they have submitted a joint application and have been accepted as such, nor may they sublet or apportion space to anyone else.
∙ Participation in more than one section of the show is prohibited. Once you pay a booth fee to one section you may not accept an invitation from another section. Booth Fees are not refunded in this case.
∙ Photo I.D. required at check-in. ∙ Street jurors will circulate at random during the show to ensure that all work shown is in compliance with these guidelines.  

• ELECTRICITY IS NOT AVAILABLE. Please don't ask. Generators are NOT permitted; however, battery-powered lighting is acceptable.

• Acknowledgment serving as “Signature of the Agreement” regarding the Rules of Participation of the St. James Court Art Show, Inc.
• Completed application form online

• Application Fee is Non-refundable 
• INSURANCE : general liability insurance is required of each exhibitor
• The St. James Court Art Show will not be liable for personal property losses or injuries sustained while participating at the art show.
• RULES OF PARTICIPATION ARE ENFORCED

BOOTH FEES:

• Booth fees are $625 for a 10' x 10' space.
• Corners are an additional $50.
• Extra Large (XL)spaces are $830. XL  is a 10' x 16'-19' space.
• Doubles (10x20) are available by request at $1150.

EXHIBIT SPACE: Returning exhibitors will be given preferred booth space whenever possible; new artists will be placed in remaining booths after previous exhibitor spaces are assigned. ALL BOOTH SPACES ARE ASSIGNED BY THE ART SHOW.

BE SURE TO MAKE YOUR BOOTH REQUEST ON YOUR APPLICATION.  
Please note: your booth request is a request not a booth space confirmation.  Booth numbers are assigned by the art show.  No refunds will be given for paying the wrong booth fee.  Every effort will be made to accommodate special needs of the physically handicapped.

Exhibitors are responsible for providing their own white tents and displays, which should be sufficiently sturdy to withstand weather and crowds. DUE TO THE RESTRICTED SPACE COMMERCIAL TENT RENTAL CO. ARE NOT PERMITTED ON ST. JAMES COURT. The average space allotment is 12' x 12', but this varies since it is an outdoor show where natural and man-made obstructions can limit or increase its size. Tents should not be bigger than 10' x 10', nor should display height exceed 9' to clear overhead tree branches. The show is held in a residential neighborhood; booth spaces are located mostly on concrete or grassy, tree-laden area, with some straddling curves, curb cuts, walkways or driveways; there are few spaces on perfectly flat ground. St. James Court is lined with trees, which block direct sunlight in some areas. All booths on St. James Court face east or west; booths on Magnolia Ave. face south. Exhibitors must abide by and displays must be in accordance with local fire regulations.  The full cooperation of exhibitors is expected in this matter. Storage must be neatly concealed within or around your booth.

Booth fees are due JULY 1, 2026 and can be paid after a booth number is assigned BY THE ART SHOW.
Please Do not pay a booth fee until you have been assigned a Booth # by the art show. Booth Fee payments must be made through Zapplication with a credit card/Paypal or by sending a Check or Money order into the art show office: St. James Court Art Show, PO Box 3804, Louisville, KY 40201.


CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations must be submitted in writing and emailed to the Executive Director Howard Rosenberg;howard@stjamescourtartshow.com. Booth fees will be refunded, less $100, prior to August 1, 2026.  No refunds after 8/01/2026. The booth fee is for exhibit space rental by the applicant ONLY and is not transferable to another exhibitor. If the registrant cannot participate, control of the space reverts back to the show and refunds are made per stated policy. No refunds if inclement weather is experienced during the event.

SET UP DAY: Setup takes place the THURSDAY before the show starts. Loading and unloading is permitted in close proximity to booth locations. Vehicles cannot remain in the exhibit area beyond the designated set-up time or during the show.  Booth setup is by ASSIGNED staggered timed check-in. We ask that after you unload your vehicle, you proceed to parking and return on foot to continue booth set-up.  Late arrivals (after 7pm) must notify the show director by 7pm in order for us to inform security. There are no set ups allowed on Friday morning. RV and truck & trailers cannot be parked on city streets for overnight use. RV and camper parking options will be provided ahead of time.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email to the Executive Director; Howard Rosenberg at howard@stjamescourtartshow.com . Booth fees will be refunded, less $100, prior to August 1, 2026.

No refunds after AUGUST 1, 2026. The booth fee is for exhibit space rental by the applicant ONLY and is not transferable to another exhibitor. If the registrant cannot participate, control of the space reverts back to the show and refunds are made per stated policy. No refunds if inclement weather is experienced during the event. A total BOOTH FEE refund will be given if the St. James Court Art Show is forced to cancel the show due to forces beyond the show's control.