Musiccosmos

by Carolyn Edlund Painter Mark D. Bird honors a beloved art show event and historic neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky with a portrait of his uncle’s “grand home” in St. James Court. Here’s how that tribute came full circle.   “St. James Court” print of the original watercolor by Mark D. Bird   Watercolor artist Mark D. Bird recently found himself as a central figure in a celebration of the historic neighborhood in Louisville where his family lived, and a banner year for the St. James Court Art Show , one of America’s top ten art fairs and festivals . I spoke with him about the history surrounding the area and the art show itself. AS: Why is your uncle’s home significant in Louisville, and how does it relate to the St. James Court Art Show? MB:   My uncle, Malcolm B. Bird, owned and occupied the house at 1436 St. James Court in the mid-1950s. He purchased the house with his friends Bob Smith and Jim Perry. None of them had resources enough to purchase alone,...