Investing in the Next Generation: St. James Scholarships Support UofL Artists

As the St. James Court Art Show celebrates its 70th anniversary, a longstanding partnership with the University of Louisville continues to invest in the artists who will shape the next generation of Louisville’s creative community. 

This year, UofL students Simone Jackson, Eleanor “Anna” Cohen and Eunice Fanai are carrying forward a scholarship tradition rooted in a shared belief: talented young artists deserve the opportunity to pursue their creativity through higher education. 

The St. James Court Scholarship Foundation has supported generations of aspiring artists, including students at UofL’s Hite Institute of Art + Design. The scholarship tradition began in 1978 with a single $1,000 award and has since grown into a program that has awarded more than half a million dollars to high school art students pursuing higher education in the arts. 

Behind that legacy are members of the Louisville community who believed deeply in creating opportunities for young artists. Among them was the late Bill Holladay Jr., a longtime supporter of the St. James Court Art Show and the Old Louisville neighborhood who helped establish and grow the scholarship program. 

“Bill understood the importance of giving young people the opportunity to pursue their creative passions,” said Pam Holladay. “His dedication helped ensure that this program could continue opening doors for aspiring artists.” 

For Holladay, supporting the arts was deeply connected to supporting the community around them. He served the Old Louisville neighborhood association through several terms, while his involvement with the St. James Court Art Show helped strengthen a scholarship program whose impact would reach far beyond the annual event. 

“The St. James Court Art Show has always been about more than celebrating art, it’s about supporting artists, cultivating creativity and investing in the next generation,” Pam Holladay said. “That spirit is at the heart of the St. James Court Scholarship Foundation.” 

That spirit continues today through the partnership between the St. James Court Art Show and UofL. 

For Cohen, who is pursuing a Studio Art degree on a pre-medicine track, receiving the scholarship played a pivotal role in her decision to attend UofL and continue developing as an artist while also pursuing her interests in science and medicine. 

“Winning the St. James Court Art Show Scholarship was a pivotal moment for me because the University of Louisville was the first school to encourage me to continue pursuing art when many other voices were discouraging me from doing so alongside pre-medicine,” Cohen said. “Having my art taken seriously ultimately affirmed my decision to pursue both and gave me the confidence to take on the challenge of completing two very different degrees simultaneously.” 

At UofL, Cohen has found ways to bring those seemingly different disciplines together. Her work has included wearable art incorporating chemical processes such as cyanotype and copper oxidation, and her studies at Hite have encouraged her to expand into ceramics, lithography, screen printing and oil painting. She has also used her art to give back to the Louisville community, including helping create a full-scale mural for Feed Louisville and participating in KMAC Couture. Her experience demonstrates the lasting impact that an investment in a young artist can have — providing not only financial support, but encouragement to pursue creative ambitions and ultimately share those talents with the broader community. 

On the occasion of the Art Show’s 70th anniversary, Chris Reitz, director of the Hite Institute of Art + Design, reflected on both the longstanding relationship and the individual whose commitment helped make it possible. 

“This remarkable milestone not only celebrates a rich legacy of artistic excellence but also highlights the St. James Court Art Show's enduring generosity in supporting student scholarships,” Reitz said. “We especially remember the late Mr. Bill Holladay, Jr., whose kind heart, dedication, and generosity helped sustain the St. James scholarships. His support has opened doors for many young artists in Louisville and made a lasting impact on our community.” 

Today, Cohen, Jackson, and Fanai represent the continuation of that investment in young artists. As students at UofL, they are developing their talents and pursuing their education with support from a scholarship tradition established nearly five decades ago. 

What began with a single scholarship in 1978 has become an enduring connection between the St. James Court Art Show, UofL and Louisville’s arts community. 

As thousands of artists and visitors returned to Old Louisville for the 70th St. James Court Art Show this past weekend, that investment in the future remains an important part of the event’s legacy. 

“Through this scholarship and the young artists it supports, his belief in the power of art and the importance of investing in others continues,” Pam Holladay said. 

For the Hite Institute, that legacy is both something to celebrate and something to carry forward. 

“With sincere appreciation, we celebrate this partnership and honor Mr. Holladay’s memory as we look forward to many more years of supporting Louisville’s next generation of artists,” Reitz said. 

By making a gift to the St. James Court Scholarship Foundation, you can help talented students pursue their artistic passions and achieve their educational goals. Please consider making a donation today and investing in the next generation of creative leaders. Give at http://give.louisville.edu/stjamesart.