Arts and Culture in the
Metropolitan Saint Louis
Metropolitan Saint Louis is home to a vibrant art scene. You'll find creative expression on display at the Saint Louis Art Museum, on university campuses, at numerous public museums, at art fairs and craft fairs, at galleries, and at local artists' studios.
Art Museums
Saint Louis is home to a vibrant art scene. New and revitalized institutions, along with world-class architecture and public sculpture can be found throughout the city and county. The Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park is one of the nation's leading comprehensive art museums. The Contemporary Art Museum Saint Louis and the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts are two of five free museums within blocks of each other midtown arts district called Grand Center. Laumeier Sculpture Park is a 105-acre open-air museum in Saint Louis County that features over 80 works of contemporary sculpture.
First Fridays in Grand Center
Downtown St. Louis, MO
First Friday of every month
Discover Grand Center, located in the heart of St. Louis, and its remarkable array of visual arts at eight venues within walking distance of each other. Participating venues include Bruno David Gallery, Craft Alliance, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Portfolio Gallery, The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, The Sheldon Art Galleries and on the Saint Louis University campus The Museum of Contemporary Religious Art and Saint Louis University Museum of Art. The museums and galleries are free and open until 9 pm. An eclectic choice of restaurants enhances the vitality of this cosmopolitan neighborhood.
Annual Art Fairs
The Art Fair at Queeny Park
Ballwin, MO
April & Labor Day weekend
This biannual fine art and craft show is held by the Greater St. Louis Art Association and features approximately 140 national artists that exhibit their art in the following disciplines: clay/ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, acrylic, oil, watercolor, photography, sculpture, and wood.
Art Fair at Laumeier
Kirkwood, MO
May
Art Fair at Laumeier is a nationally acclaimed fine art and craft fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park, one of the world’s premier open-air museums. A highly competitive juried show, the art fair receives over 1,000 applications, of which 150 nationally recognized artists representing clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking/drawing, sculpture and wood are selected to participate. In addition to the artwork, food and drink from a variety of vendors is available and two stages provide exciting adult and children’s entertainment. Creation Location provides hands-on art activities for children and demonstrations by both performing and visual artists.
Schlafly Art Outside
Maplewood, MO
May
Art Outside is a three-day-long alternative juried and invitational art fair featuring art from over 60 artists based here in the St. Louis area dedicated to showcasing local art in an approachable venue and manner. Art Outside is not an ordinary fair, but one that features quality and affordable art, music, and plenty of tasty food and drink from Schlafly Beer. Hosted at the brewery’s Bottleworks location in Maplewood, Missouri, Art Outside draws approximately 15,000 visitors each year. The festival’s mission is to increase public knowledge and appreciation for the local art scene by creating opportunities that connect artists, musicians and the community.
St. Louis African Arts Festival
St. Louis, MO
May
The annual African Arts Festival includes an African marketplace, children's activities, hands-on activities, performing artists, African and African-American artifacts, jewelry & textiles, guided art tours, cultural demonstrations and more.
The Webster Arts Fair
Webster Groves, MO
June
The Webster Arts Fair, a one-of-a-kind fine arts fair, is set amongst the beautiful park setting of Eden Theological Seminary. Each year, over 110 juried artists participate at the Webster Arts Fair, which is often noted as one of the best art fairs in the Midwest. The Emerging Artists Gallery highlights local artists at both the professional and student level. There will be musical entertainment by great local bands, featuring various styles from children’s songs to jazz, bluegrass to classical, as well as student ensembles. Locally known restaurants will be showcasing a selection of delicacies to tempt the fairgoer's palate. For kids and adults alike there is Camp Creativity where you can experience the "art of making art!"
Saint Louis Art Fair
Clayton, MO
September
Nearly 200 visual artists from across the country exhibit an unprecedented selection of the highest quality, original works of art at this annual celebration put on by Cultural Festivals. Three entertainment stages provide the platform for dozens of different performing groups. Also featured are educational hands-on activities for children, culinary treats from St. Louis’ finest restaurants and much more.
St. Louis Hills Art in the Park
St. Louis, MO
September
St. Louis Hills, rich in architecture and home to beautiful Francis Park, provides the backdrop for Art in the Park. Family, friends and neighbors enjoy artists showcasing their creative wares from jewelry, pottery, glass and textiles to mixed media, wood, sculpture, painting and photography amidst live music, tasty eats, and kids’ activities.
Best Of Missouri Market
St. Louis, MO
October
The three-day Best of Missouri Market is a Missouri Botanical Garden signature event. More than 120 Missouri food producers and crafters offer fresh produce, baked goods, fresh and dried flowers, herbs, handcrafted items, baskets, wooden toys, custom jewelry and more. Enjoy music and attendance prize drawings, too! The event is held outdoors under tents, rain or shine.
Historic Shaw Art Fair
St. Louis, MO
October
Located on the tree-lined parkway of beautiful Flora Place at Tower Grove Avenue, the Historic Shaw Art Fair is one of the premier fine art and fine craft fairs in the St. Louis area. It is highly rated by art fair magazines and participating artists. Approximately 135 top caliber artists and craftspeople from around the country are selected each year to participate in the professionally juried event. These work in a large variety of media and styles including Clay, Digital Drawing, Pastels, Fiber Art, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Woodwork. Visitors and artists will enjoy the festive atmosphere that includes live music, a food court featuring food from many local restaurants, and a children’s art area.
