LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thousands of people will enjoy the 68th annual St. James Court Art Show in Louisville. Organizers say they expect 250,000 visitors or more.

What You Need To Know

  • Event officials said they expect the St. James Court Art Show to have an economic impact of $5.6 million

  • St. James Court Art Show officials said the art show features more than 600 artists from across the country

  • The show runs from Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6

Artist Melissa Oesch is from Lexington. Her book binding journey began in her late 20s, where she learned to sew books together. She didn’t always think she was an artist. In fact she thought her brother held that title.

“I thought I was going to do a bunch of other things. Never saw this coming. So, I tell people, especially young people, like questioning and trying to figure stuff out. Just keep trying stuff because you don’t know all your options yet. Sometimes they find us when we’re ready for them.” Oesch said.

Oesch works with reclaimed leather, all scraps from purse and boot factories. She also makes leather bags. It’s a functional yet minimalist look with multiple pockets. She has come to the St. James Court Art Show for more than a decade.

“I’m always in this spot, booth 777, which is like a really fun number to have. This is a great show, awesome crowd.” Oesch explained.

Event officials said they expect the St. James Court Art Show to have an economic impact of $5.6 million.

Not to mention all the unique works of art, like colorful painted brooms attached to rotary telephones.

On its website, the St. James Court Art Show said the art show features more than 600 artists from across the country.

Artists like Bryane Broadie, 38, of Landover, Maryland. He quit his full-time government job last year and is now he’s following his passion as a full-time artist. Broadie’s art is a mix of photography, collage, digital drawing and painting. When he’s not traveling with his art, he speaks to school children about art, entrepreneurship and the power of reading. 

“Everything I read, I put into my art. This is a representation of my growth through education. Your brain is the most powerful muscle in your body. The more you feed it, the more you grow, the bigger perspective you have in life.” Broadie explained.

If you need a ride to the art show, TARC is offering $15 round-trip tickets to the show from the Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville. The show runs from Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6

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