St. James Court Art Show
In the Home Stretch
Published On: August 31, 2010
Much is new about this year’s show, now in its 54th year. One new addition is a place to take a break from the crowd. “We’re setting up a beer garden with a music stage just off Magnolia in Central Park,” Esrock says. “We wanted a place where anyone can sit down and relax for a minute.” The music will be low-key and local, featuring musicians from One Horse Records.
There are also many new artists, which is not unusual. The art show’s jury process is designed to keep each year’s show fresh, as Esrock explains: “Every artist is juried twice, and each year there are different jurors. Every section of the show juries their own artists.” Sections are the participating neighborhood associations; Esrock is responsible for the St. James Court section, which received 860 artist applications for 125 spots.
She already knows that because of the economy, some artists who come every year will not be able to return this time. Returning artists, she says, represent some of “the strong, the innovative, the ones determined to stay alive and in this business.” Artists who have a loyal following keep in touch, a simple act that Esrock says helps them see a return on their investment in the show.
Not that everyone needs reminding. “All of the coordinators love bragging on the artists, we make notes to make sure we go see everybody,” she says.
As popular as the show is, every year there have to be some first-timers in the crowd. What should a newbie do?
“I would say grab the program: First thing you do is mark where you park! Then I suggest making a plan of attack based on the nearest entrance.”
Beyond that, she says, “There’s no right or wrong way to approach going through the show. Everybody has a way they like to do it.”
She also recommends planning for parking ahead of time, using the St. James Court Art Show website as a guide. Parking can also be a charitable act: Noe Middle School, duPont Manual High School and Cochran Elementary all benefit from parking proceeds.
That’s not where the giving ends. “We give out $19,000 in college scholarships, which are announced Sunday at the show,” Esrock says. This year, the Weber Gallery on South Fourth Street hosts an exhibition of scholarship entries. The St. James Court Charitable Foundation hosts a black tie gala in the Court on September 25, benefiting Cabbage Patch Settlement House. Gala tickets can be purchased on the art show’s website.
A good portion of the proceeds support the event as well as the historic area. The art show launched in 1957 to fund repairs to St. James Court’s fountain. Ironically, that’s the case this time: The deteriorating pool basin required $30,000 in renovations. Thanks to the efforts of Esrock and the neighborhood associations, the iconic fountain will probably be around for another 54 years.
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