22nd Annual Ursuline Campus Art Fair
A Welcome Reprieve

On Saturday, September 20, just an hour before the 22nd Annual Ursuline Art Fair began, the skies above the Ursuline Campus on Lexington Road, opened up and rain began to pour.   As it hit the pavement, sighs of relief could be heard. Fortunately, most of the artists were ready.  Their tents were up and their art was covered.    The question then became, “would anyone show up in this downpour?”

We soon had our answer with the first school bus shuttling people from Southern Baptist Seminary arrived.  It was not only “yes” but “definitely” and in droves.   One after another people stepped from the packed school bus and began going through the covered stalls, their umbrellas open.  By the time lunch rolled around, the sun was shining and any evidence of rain was gone.

Patrons check out the animal art at the "Twin Heart Gourds" booth

Construction on campus meant fewer artists at the fair this year and some booth placement changes.  It meant patrons couldn’t cut through an area they might normally use to get to the festivities.   And, because the gym is no longer there, it also meant the children’s area had to be moved outdoors. 

But, you wouldn’t have known there were big changes from the way the artists, crowds and children reacted.  The 130 artists started to arrive on Friday to put up their booths and in less than 24 hours the face of the campus was changed.  White tents lined the sidewalks and the artist had their wares on display.


The crowds stroll the artists' booths

The crowds seemed to adjust to the new routes pretty easily.  There were plenty of signs pointing the way as well as police officers and volunteers helping out with traffic flow on and off campus.

Kids enjoy the children's area which was sponsored this year by Sacred Heart Schools

As for the children, they seemed unfazed by the new area set aside for them.  Each day children lined up to make beaded jewelry, have their faces painted and play a myriad of games on the front lawn of the campus.  They used the open area to run and play, using their new toys bought from several of the booths geared to children.

It was a successful event by most accounts. But there's no rest for the weary, with only twelve months until the 23rd Annual Ursuline Campus Art Fair, planning must soon get underway. We hope to see you here next year.

Click here for a list of 2008's artists by medium.

Click here for this 2008's entertainment schedule.

Click here for directions to the Ursuline Campus.

For more information call 502-896-3999

No pets, alcohol, bicycles, skateboards or soliciting allowed.

Sister Mary Lee Hansen, Director of the Angela Merici Center Ginny Schaeffer and Sister Vera Del Grande (left to right) staffed a booth set aside to help promote understanding of the Ursuline Sisters' mission within the community and increase the ties to our neighbors.

(below) Sisters Jo Ann Haunz and Sarah Stauble (left to right)
chatted with patrons at the art fair.

Visitors took advantage of what the food vendors were serving up

Some of the art on display during the
2008 Ursuline Campus Art Fair

2008 Sister Martha Jacob
Booth Winners

1st Place - Elizabeth Worley
2nd Place – Larry Spears
3rd Place – Sharon Major


First place winner of the booth awards, Elizabeth Worley,
accepted her award from Sister Martha Jacob, Vice
President of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville.
Elizabeth specializes in basketweaving.

LEFT: Street banners sponsored by local businesses adorn the front of the Ursuline Campus on Lexington Road - these will be replaced this fall in celebration of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, beginning January of 2008.
RIGHT: Chase Kirkwood, from United Mail, a 2006 UCAF sponsor, and Sister Evelina Pisaneschi, OSU enjoy "catching up" at a Sponsor Event.

Ursuline Campus Art Fair logo

The Ursuline Campus Art Fair logo was designed in 2003 to symbolize the art fair's mission of supporting the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville through a celebration of artistic and diverse talents.

Designed by Louisville artist and Sacred Heart Academy alumna Karen Boone, the Ursuline Campus Art Fair logo is comprised of four hands, symbolizing both the artist and the Ursuline Sisters themselves. The hands depict the artist's creative expression and also the way the Ursuline Sisters' mission touches lives.

The hands, open and reaching outward, express the artist's openness to new ideas and the Ursulines' readiness to serve the needs of others. The positioning of the hands relays a sense of motion, which is indicative of the artist at work and also the Ursuline philosophy of moving with the times. The logo itself visually opens your mind to many possibilities: hands, a flower, autumn leaves and even a cross.