LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jeremiah Morales was crowned the first ever Young Artist of the Year Saturday at Louisville UnFair.
The 16-year-old set up shop among other Louisville-based creatives at the 26th alternative art festival in Old Louisville.
"I see this not just as a selling opportunity, but an opportunity to put my name out there," Morales said. He had several of his drawings displayed for sale, and said his specialty is line work and realistic eye drawings.
Louisville UnFair pops up once a year for about 30 vendors to come and sell their art.
The festival prides itself on being edgy and local.
"A lot of times, art shows are hard to get into," said artist and organizer Nick Knight. "They can be unfair."
The event is a self-proclaimed rival to the Saint James Court Art Show. It takes place during the same weekend, and is held on the same block.
Knight said he has sold his pop art here for 12 years.
"Artists have hard lives, and we try to provide some fairness to them by giving them an opportunity to sell their artwork at no cost, to equalize and give marginalized artists a platform to have their artwork seen by local art lovers," Knight said.
Artist Skylar Davis said it's a weekend of free expression.
"It's locals only, for locals, by locals," Davis said. "We're really quirky and fun, maybe a little bit on the dark side, and definitely a little funny."
Tiffany Ackerman is a glass artist, and she's on the festival's board. She said Louisville UnFair is all about the community feeling.
"We all build together -- physically -- we build the set," Ackerman said. "But, we have a sink or swim mentality. Together, we do it and we work for a cause to bring art and opportunity, especially to marginalized artists."
Art and music will continue to flow on Sunday at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Magnolia Bar.