Ouachita Parish has a unique art history that has shaped the culture of the Twin Cities. From the historical Masur Museum of Art to the Herons on the Bayou, so much creativity has blossomed from Monroe-West Monroe for many years. 16 years ago, the Downtown Arts Alliance developed the Downtown Gallery Crawl to “enhance the culture of the 318 and to allow North Louisiana artists to grow, prosper and connect with each other and to continue revitalizing our downtowns.” The Crawl has since become a beloved community event that 6 times a year brings the community together to be exposed to the wonderful art made right here in Monroe-West Monroe.

“For me it is a full circle. I was a young lady when this event began, and it was an inspiration. It was both scary and exciting to finally get the courage to ask if I could show my early work at a gallery around 13 years ago. Now, I have my own studio which we transform into a gallery space. It is truly a dream come true to have the opportunity to give back to the event that I’ve found so inspiring all these years.” - Rhyan Emery, Owner of Albritton Photography.

You can discover art at 12 different galleries in Monroe-West Monroe. Enjoy live music, food, and drinks while you tour the downtowns. You can even take the wagon ride over the Ouachita to explore galleries on both sides of the river. You can find paintings, sculptures, handmade soaps, jewelry, and so much more. The Crawl is free to the public so anyone can attend and indulge in local arts.

“Embracing the roots of our community's creativity, The Crawl not only showcases the vibrant arts community of Monroe-West Monroe but also cultivates its growth, while offering our community a chance to interact with, observe, learn about, and, of course, purchase all forms of artistic expression." - Sheila Snow, President of Downtown Arts Alliance

Photo Credits: Dylan Jung & Downtown Gallery Crawl