In 1971, Don and Sandy Coulter were like other 30-something Louisvillians: smart, ambitious, and in love—not only with one another, but with their thriving Cherokee Park neighborhood. Fueled by a passion for antiques, art, and community, Don and Sandy, along with the neighborhood association, organized the first Cherokee Triangle Art Fair. Naysayers remarked on the poor timing—in the fall, competing with the St. James Court Art Show —and bad location—in the basement of Highland Baptist Church.
“Success has many parents, but failure is an orphan,” said Don, not to be dissuaded by the comments. “There was a need for it in the community and I needed an outlet.”
Don and Sandy phoned up vendors using their network of antiquing friends and pulled from the already thriving neighborhood plant exchange to give life to their vision. In 1972, Don and Sandy tweaked their design and moved the show to the heart of the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood. With the help of Edgar Paul, then Louisville chief of police, Don got his wish. Paul summoned mounted police to block the avenue facing the statue of Gen. John Breckinridge Castleman, solidifying the location for the next 40 years.
Any memorable experiences with that first fair?
Sandy: “One of the most memorable mishaps came when a vendor implied he had collectible car emblems and memorabilia, only to bring bits and pieces of bizarre car scraps – radiators and gas cans. Not quite the type of antiques we were looking for.”
How has the money raised by the art fair impacted the neighborhood?
Don: “The funds help upkeep the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood – most notably in the mid-90s when the Castleman statue fell in disrepair. Perhaps the most familiar of all landmarks, this bronze sculpture of Gen. Castleman standing sentry over Cherokee Parkway guards the neighborhood and gives visitors a point of reference. Castleman is considered the father of Louisville’s park system, bringing Frederick Law Olmsted to Louisville to work on Cherokee Park.”
Sandy: “You can see the impact locally. From the gazebo to the Sunday evening Willow Park concert series to the charitable contributions – the money stays in this community.”
What inspires you today?
Don: “We have a farm and that takes up a lot of our time. But we enjoy watching this grow. People need to have something that feeds their creative juices.”
Did you imagine the fair would become what it is today?
Don: “I never dreamed it. It evolved from our idea and nobody could see it coming. We hit at a very good time. There was an interest in the arts and collectibles and some people had a disposable income, so they would buy the products. Now there are a lot of lookers and people eating and drinking, so I’m not sure if they are buying, but they come back every year.”
Any advice from organizing such a successful, long-lived event?
Don: “You listen to what the community wants and you make it happen. It’s the same with antiquing – one year it’s this, one year it’s that. Be observant.”
Any advice from nearly 50 years of marriage?
Don: “Always see the other person’s perspective. And never go to bed mad.”
–Lane Hibbard
Visit the 41st annual Cherokee Triangle Art Fair:April 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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