We are excited to announce the Ruston Art Encounter!
The Ruston Art Encounter is not your typical art crawl. It is an interactive, experiential art event that is coming to downtown Ruston beginning this July 30th. This new grassroots collaboration, initiated by Ruston Artisans owner Judi Null, is collectively supported and managed by Ruston’s art-related businesses, Ruston's downtown community and the Friends of Ruston MainStreet. It has long been the vision of Ruston Artisans and many other businesses to recognize Ruston as the art destination it is.
A unique art-related event will be conducted in the fabulous downtown area of Ruston on the last Saturday of every other month from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. We encourage people to visit our Farmer’s Market before engaging in each art encounter. Afterward, head over to our walking art trail that features over one hundred artists and over 20 art-related merchants, businesses and organizations within a one-mile area. After the Ruston Art Encounter, we invite you to shop, dine and perhaps stay overnight in one of our many hotels.
The following events have been scheduled:
July 30, 2022 - Sidewalk Chalkwalk – Visit our chalk walk of beautiful art displayed throughout downtown Ruston. Our artists include Jessica Ann (Creative Exchange); Ron Mckinney (Dixie Center for the Arts); Chlese Jiles (The Frame Up); Katelyn Vaughan, (The Fabric Shop); Keldrick Dunn (Cotton Top); Ruston Mirror by Creative Exchange (Railroad Park); Ashley Greer (Heard Freighthouse Food Park); Jean DeFreese Moore (The Depot Coffee House); Meredith Anderson (The Children’s Shoppe); Adam Williams (Limitless Grooming); Daniel Myers (Fine Line Supply Co); Emily Ezell (No. 9 Books & Studio 301); and Noah Blessing (Ruston Artisans). Your kids can join the artists at the Origin Depot Bank on Alabama and Monroe to create their own works of art. There will also be pop ups and fun activities along the path to and at the bank. You will also have an opportunity to vote on your favorite chalk artist. The winning artist will receive $500. Her show at the Dixie may be over, but keep an eye out as we heard that Mary Poppins is a big fan of chalk art!
September 24, 2022 – Murals and Street Art – Showcased in this walking tour are our fabulous murals and an opportunity to help in in creating portable street art mini-murals, as well as small works of art along the path. Our art-related business will be open to showcase their artworks, and classes on how to create street art will be held. Many artworks on display will also feature street art.
November 26, 2022 – Christmas Stroll – In addition to lighting the downtown Christmas tree, you will encounter strolling musicians, culinary art, performance artists and of course all those perfectly unique artistic gifts. You can celebrate all day and get your shopping done. A one-of-a-kind Christmas experience!
January 28, 2023 – Performance Encounter – Warm up the winter month with our art merchants as visual, culinary, performance and other artists showcase their talents. You will have an opportunity to practice with an artist. We promise hot coffee and chocolate somewhere on your journey!
March 25, 2023 – Edible Art – Enjoy the flavors of Ruston’s culinary artists, in addition to encountering unique textiles dyed from food and plants and visual arts featuring a food theme. We can taste it already!
May 27, 2023 – A Day of Plein Air – Encounter artists lining our streets with easels and paint brushes as they create art before your eyes.
Our planning committee this year includes Dylan Sanders and Ryan Botts, Creative Exchange; Judy Copeland, Dixie Center for the Arts; Henry McCoy, Fine Line Supply Co.; Judi Null, Ruston Artisans; and, Amy Stegall, Ruston Main Street Director/Community Coordinator.
The talent in Ruston and the local area is exceptional and many local businesses, corporations, non-profit groups are supporting that talent through their sponsorship and donations. A list of our sponsors and donors will be listed on our advertising in recognition of their contributions. We would also like to thank the Ruston Community Men’s Shed for creating our chalkboards. If you would like to donate to the Ruston Art Encounter, contact Judi Null at 318-254-3322 or Amy Stegall at 318-251-8647. All donations go toward paying our artists and expenses. No monies donated go toward any of the businesses.
Maps and information regarding each unique encounter may be picked up at Experience Ruston Convention & Visitors Bureau and at each business listed above. Shop, eat, play and stay. Ruston is your art destination!