Buying Art on the Streets of New Orleans

From eHow:
New Orleans has long provided talented artists with inspiration to create beautiful works of art. Local artists sell New Orleans-influenced pieces around the city. Though prices on some pieces can be thousands of dollars, many artists make their pieces affordable to the average buyer. By knowing where to shop, anyone can buy affordable art in New Orleans.

Step 1--On the last Saturday of each month, shop for a piece from one of New Orleans’ own artists at the Arts Market of New Orleans. This market, held in Palmer Park, features more than 50 artists selling paintings, photographs and a variety of other handcrafted pieces.

Step 2--Attend the Bywater Art Market on the third Saturday of each month to browse and buy affordable local and regional art. Set up at Royal Street and Piety in the Bywater neighborhood, vendors sell beaded jewelry, metalwork, paintings, drawings and furniture.

Step 3--Browse art created and sold by street vendors around the perimeter of Jackson Square. The greatest number of vendors set up during tourist season and on weekends.

Step 4--Hunt for hidden treasures in Magazine Street antique shops. Unique pieces often find their way to one of the city’s many antique shops.

Step 5--Check out vendor booths at city and neighborhood festivals. Festivals from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to the Bayou Boogaloo have areas dedicated to local artists selling their wares. Step away from the stages and venture into the craft areas to find a variety of affordable art.

I went for option 3. It is fun to walk through the art galleries in the French Quarter, but the prices are largely not affordable, and also quite variable (we found a four fold difference from place to place for one artist). I loved the Michalopoulos Gallery at 617 Bienville St. (http://www.michalopoulos.com/) but his work is out of my price league. But I was happy with my Sunday morning Jackson Square purchase.