Mellwood Arts Center: When You Gotta Have Art!

The Mellwood Arts Center lives up to its name, featuring housing galleries, shops, artist studios, photographers, dance and acting schools, cafés and much more. Anything related to the arts is represented somewhere in the historic four-story Mellwood Arts Center.

Sprawling through the former Fischer Meat Packing Co. plant in Louisville's Clifton neighborhood, the Mellwood Arts Center has shops selling paintings, sculptures, art supplies, jewelry, clothing, stoneware, knickknacks and more. Several photographers have studios here, too. The Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop on the final Friday of each month stops here as well as cruising down Frankfort Avenue; on those days, hundreds stroll through the building. 

Some artists use their space as a studio rather than a retail outlet. No wonder: studio rentals begin at $187 per month for a 150-square-foot space (including utilities). 

Other tenants have little to nothing to do with art: for example, the One Room Schoolhouse gives lessons in creative writing, poetry, public speaking and genealogy, while the Metromojo webmaster service has its offices on the main floor and StageLab trains teachers on drama.

A visit to the Mellwood Arts Center often starts with a stop in at Celia's @ Mellwood, the ecletic shop run by artist Celia Smith, grande dame of the complex. The cozy space has jewelry, paintings, glass magnets, purses, scarves and more — including glass critters so tiny that the largest amongst them is no bigger than a raisin!

“Actually, I've been here since they got the keys to the place,” said Smith, who's been in the building for seven years when she set up her studio near the front of the building. Five years ago she opened the store, which carries art created by herself, other artists working in the Mellwood Arts Center and regional and national artists.

Some of the tenants delve into quite unusual pursuits. Upstairs the ladies of the Troupe Samovar dance company performs at shows with luscious meals catered by Ramsi's Café on the World. At other times, instructor Ruric-Amari gives lessons in belly dancing and the flamboyant Bollywood dancing made famous in Slumdog Millionaire.

Browsing works up quite an appetite. Good thing the Mellwood Arts Center has several places to eat. Among them is the Fun Food Café, which looks onto the center's courtyard. It's a great place to grab a sandwich or a hotdog. If you sit outside in good weather, you can watch the delightful metal mobile of sea creatures as the sculptures bob and float with the breeze.

Every weekend the Mellwood Arts Center plays host to at least two weddings in its three special events rooms. The vaulted ceilings and the courtyard make a romantic locale for a wedding or reception. The rooms are available for birthday parties and other events, too, with prices starting at $995. Packages include tables and chairs, extended set-up and event time and use of the warming kitchen.

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