Best 4 Art Galleries in Louisville, KY

Art exhibit museums are a great way to get to know a city’s local culture and how it relates to other events on a global scale. While many people know Louisville, Kentucky, for being the Derby City in the Bluegrass State, the city prides itself on having a rich culture, especially on Museum Row, which houses fascinating museums in the downtown area. So, grab a friend and start exploring what the city has to offer with its incredible art scene.

Our team at Bachman Chevrolet put together a list of the four best art galleries in Louisville, Kentucky, for you to check out this year.

Revelry Boutique + Gallery

Image by Michal Matlon | Licensed with Unsplash License

Something interesting about Revelry Boutique + Gallery is that it houses pieces from over 150 Louisville artists, but the establishment doubles as a boutique where you can shop for art pieces. Shop one-of-a-kind items like canvas paintings, games, coin purses, and many other unique items. The gallery provides opportunities for regional artists to showcase their work by making their art available through online and in-person sales, hosting gallery openings, and using social media to promote their work.

The upcoming exhibits you can see soon at this art gallery are:

• Shae Goodlett from Jan. 6 to Feb. 5.
• Norman Spencer from Feb. 10 to March 5.
• Christina Scherer from March 10 to April 3.

Visit the website to check back for other exhibits debuting throughout the year. Additionally, while you’re on the website, you can purchase the items available in-store and get them shipped to your door. Each purchase you make at the gallery’s store benefits the local artists and small businesses.

• Hours:
  • Sunday and Monday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Location: 742 E. Market St., Louisville.

Speed Art Museum

Visit the Speed Art Museum, founded in 1927 and formally called the J.B. Speed Memorial Museum. It’s one of the oldest and largest art galleries in the city. The art museum houses over 6,000 years of human creativity in various mediums, from canvases to sculptures. Here, you can look at global and local Louisville art. While you’re visiting, you can walk through the museum on your own or join one of several guided tours to learn more about the art pieces beyond the label. You may also attend events, like gallery talks, concerts, and film festivals.

A few exhibits you can view here include:

• Native American Art.
• Black Artists Matter.
• Kentucky Collection, 1800-1945.
• Photography.

Reserve your tickets online using the museum’s website. Tickets are free for members, frontline health care workers, children 3 years old and younger, University of Louisville students, faculty, or staff, and other select schools in the area. If you’re in any of these categories, make sure you have a valid ID to get in. Additionally, every Sunday until 2024 is a free admission day for everyone.

• Hours:
  • Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.
  • Monday and Tuesday: Closed.
  • Wednesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Notice: The museum is open until 8 p.m. every first Thursday of the month.
• Location: 2035 S. Third St., Louisville.

KULA Gallery

If you’re looking for a contemporary art museum, stop by KULA Gallery in downtown Louisville. KULA stands for the gallery’s motto, “Keep U Lovin’ Art.” This gallery has 3,150 square feet to explore its modern art. The building itself is historical because of its loft layout style, exposed bricks, high ceilings, curved glass in the storefront, and a street entrance to the gallery. This architectural style is similar to the early 1900s department store row in the city’s downtown.

A unique element to this gallery is you can book the venue for your private events, like weddings, lecture talks, or photo shoots. Additionally, for a fun night out with your friends or family members, you can attend paint and sips at this gallery, making your very own piece of art. You can also schedule a gallery tour to get an up close and personal experience with the art.

• Hours:
  • Sunday and Monday: Closed.
  • Tuesday through Thursday: 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Friday: 11 p.m. to midnight.
  • Saturday: Midnight to 6 p.m.
• Location: 562 S. Fourth St., Louisville.

Alley Gallery

Alley Gallery is an outdoor art exhibit, and it’s a perfect way to spend your day walking around the city and getting to know the local ins and outs. You can use the gallery’s website to download a map of the artwork or set off on your own like a scavenger hunt. Local artists create new life to alleyways and metal doors by using their creative art skills to transform dark, often overlooked areas into amazing art pieces.

Some local art pieces and artists you may see around the city include:

• “Ali as Cosmic Butterfly” by Scott Scarboro.
• “Purple Reign” by Lonnie Walker.
• “The Voice” by Kacy Jackson.

You’ll search alleyways to see what the artists have done in each area. The goal of this outdoor art gallery is to enhance the community and create a new life in the downtown area by adding vibrant color and inspiring art pieces that locals can be proud of decorating their city. Additionally, if you’re a local Louisville artist, you can submit your work using the gallery’s website. You may submit up to 10 images for a committee to review your work.

• Location: Nearby alleyways on Chestnut St. and Fourth St., Louisville.

So, there you have it. Our team’s top choices for the best four art galleries in Louisville, Kentucky, that you must see. What do you think of our list? Did we miss one of your favorite galleries to view both local and global artists? Contact us, and tell us about it. As your local Chevy dealer, we value our customers’ opinions, especially about local recommendations in our exciting city.

Visit our dealership in Louisville, Kentucky, to browse our inventory of new vehicles and used cars. While you’re in our showroom, please speak with our sales experts about our various services, including any special service coupons or discounts we have. We want to ensure you have a satisfactory experience with us, so you feel confident driving off our lot.