LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In Louisville, art is being changed to use negative perceptions of the city’s downtown area.

What You Need To Know

  •  Louisville Tourism is working to make the city's downtown area more appealing to visitors

  • The group partnered with Louisville Downtown Partnership to replace boarded-up windows with an on-the-street art gallery

  • Vinyl prints were placed over boards on the Starks Building at 4th and Muhammad Ali

  • All the art featured is an original work from Louisville Metro artists

Louisville Tourism is working to make the city’s downtown more visitor-friendly.

In the latest effort to do that, the city’s tourism office, along with the Louisville Downtown Partnership and Underhill Associates, took on a project in one of the most visited spots, the Fourth Street Live! area.

The historic Starks Building on 4th St. and Muhammad Ali Boulevard is currently being redeveloped. A lot of the building was boarded up because of the construction. So the groups covered the giant boards up with over two dozen pieces of original art from Louisville Metro artists.

“It was all about enhancing the visitor experience. That’s such a main thoroughfare with two hotels right on the corner and, of course, Fourth Street Live, that being able to beautify the area and also I think continue to change the perception of safety downtown...” said Louisville Tourism’s Vice President of Destination Services Zack Davis. “You know, there’s still a perception of downtown that we need to overcome, because it’s very safe and a happening place, and to have buildings that are boarded up, even when it’s with positive momentum ahead. I think we need to work on that.”

All the pieces are high resolution prints of original artwork on vinyl.

Louisville Tourism hopes seeing the on-the-street art gallery, and maybe even stopping to take some photos of it, will enhance visitors’ experiences in downtown Louisville.

They can even learn more about the artists and the Louisville Downtown Partnership’s art programs at the bottom of each large piece of art. The LDP works with several groups and sponsors, like Louisville Tourism, to showcase local artists’ work in different spots downtown.

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