St. James Court

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St. James Court is a courtyard in Old Louisville surrounded by old, stately Victorian homes. It is the location of the annual St. James Art Fair, an event that draws more people to Louisville than the Kentucky Derby. The St. James Art Fair is an open-air art show and sale featuring more than 700 artists selling art in every medium imaginable. Proceeds of the St. James Art Fair go to preserving and restoring this historic Louisville neighborhood.



Also located within St. James Court is the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum. This historic Old Louisville home defines Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and has been preserved in its original splendor. It is now kept as a museum by the St. James Court Historic Foundation, and visitors to the area can tour the house for a small admission fee.

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.