St. James Court Art Show 2026 - 1300 Association

Named #1 “Best Fine Art and Design Show” in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine! Ranking among 200 of the most profitable art festivals in the country based on artists’ reported sales in 2022.

This is the 70th year of the St. James Court Art Show.

The St. James Court Art Show is a juried fine arts and contemporary crafts show featuring over 600 artists from around the U.S. held among the country’s largest collection of Victorian homes in the heart of historic Old Louisville.

The 1300 Association Section is the entrance to the art show. It the only section of the show with convenient drive-up check-in. The majority of booths in the 1300 Association section (the ones on our S. 3rd St. portion) also boast convenient artist parking immediately adjacent to the booth.

The 1300 Association Section is, for many traveling from downtown, the entrance to the art show. We feature convenient and hassle-free drive-up check-in, so artists can easily get their materials before setting up. The 1300 Association Section has booths on two blocks: A) South 3rd Street between Park Avenue and Magnolia, and B) the north side of Magnolia Avenue between South 3rd Street and South 4th Street.

Artists located along South 3rd Street enjoy parking directly behind their booth, making loading, unloading, and re-stocking hassle-free as well.

Artists located along Magnolia Street receive patrons coming from the center of the art show and are not able to park behind their booths..

Amenities for both blocks in our section include friendly and helpful neighborhood volunteers, booth sitting, coffee and donuts delivered every morning, and cash prize awards. We are proud of our diverse selection of media and price points to fit any budget. The number of exhibitors in certain medium categories will be limited. Demonstrations of your medium in your booth are highly encouraged. Returning artists will be given preferred booth space whenever possible. New artists will be placed after returning artists have been assigned. Requests will be considered, but we reserve the right to change an exhibitor space if necessary, and the exhibitor’s full cooperation is expected.

The 1300 Association is a member of a consortium of neighborhood associations and a church that produce the St. James Court Art Show. This application is only for the exhibit space in the geographical areas for which the 1300 Association is responsible, that being the west side of the 1300 block of South Third Street and the north side of Magnolia Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street. The Louisville Metro vendor's permit fee is included in all booth fees.

ALL WORK MUST BE DESIGNED AND EXECUTED BY THE ACCEPTED ARTIST: Commercial or imported items, items made from kits, greenware, mass produced or buy/resell items are not allowed. Any person exhibiting items that are misrepresentations of works presented at the time of application is subject to immediate dismissal from the show. Each applicant artist may only apply for one medium. Business partners or spouses working in different media must apply separately. Those working as partners to create the same body of work and occupy the same booth space may submit one application. Artists applying in two different categories must submit an application form, and application fee and photos for both categories. Artists may not apply in more than one category with the same body of work. Artists may exhibit work only in the medium category in which they applied.

Security is provided only during the hours the show is not in operation. St. James Court is in an urban residential area and reasonable precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of yourself and your property. All work is exhibited at the artist's own risk. We recommend that each exhibitor obtain general liability insurance, as the show's insurance does NOT extend coverage for exhibit damage, theft, or bodily injury.
Artists must be present all 3 days of the show and booths must remain open all hours of the show. Agents for artists are not accepted. Artists leaving early without permission will not be invited back to future shows. The 1300 Association reserves the right to change an exhibitor's space if it is deemed necessary. The exhibitor's full cooperation is expected.

Generators are not permitted; however, battery-powered lighting is acceptable. Booth set-up is required the day before the show starts. Each new artist must present a photo ID upon check-in on set-up day.

BOOTH SPACE: The average booth space allotment is 12' wide by 10' deep, but this varies since it is an outdoor show where natural or man-made obstructions may limit or increase the size of a booth. Please note that 10'X10' tents are the maximum size which can be accommodated and that the maximum height of all displays should not exceed 9' due to low hanging tree branches. Exhibitors are responsible for providing their own tents and displays, which should be sufficiently sturdy to withstand weather and crowds. Some booth spaces are on grassy areas; others are on concrete and straddle curbs. There are no display areas where the ground is perfectly flat. Running water and electricity are not available.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Artists canceling before August 1, 2026 will be refunded all but $75 of their booth fee. On or after August 1, 2026 there will be no booth fee refunds. No refunds of any kind will be extended to any artist who accepts an invitation to another section of the 2026 St. James Court Art Show. The show takes place rain or shine (no refunds are given for inclement weather).