Had us a bit of shindig here in Old Louisville this past weekend, the St James Art Show. Hundreds of vendors, streets full of people buying art, food, and booze, it was almost like the Before Times.
Old Louisville was built by old money and then abandoned to the more plebian classes as they fled further and further into the burbs. The art show was started back in the 50s as a way to lure a bit of that money back.
Judging by the size of the 'I send my kids to private school' crowd they seem to have been wildly successful.
I usually try and make it for at least one of its three days, more for people watching and photo opportunities than the wares on display.
Despite my best efforts at being inconspicuous I am sometimes detected. Camouflage seems to be ineffective with this crowd.
Did I mention booze? The art of abusing your liver was one of the most well represented of all the arts at the show. Kinda makes you wonder if the art show folks have adopted a 'the drunker they are the more they spend' strategy.
If so, it's a successful one. I have a lovely work of art that one of my old drinking buddies dropped $350 USD on while heavily intoxicated there a few years back.
While the hoity-toity types are hobnobbing with all the out of town artists, the locals have their own Unfair at a nearby dive bar.
St James is a juried show, got to keep the riff-raff out ya know? Can't have ACAB Pikachus getting the highbrow crowd all riled up.
The Unfair is unconcerned with all that.