Arti Gras 2026 Brings 44 Artists to Mobile’s DeTonti Square Nov. 14 to Benefit Community Garden

MOBILE, Ala. — Arti Gras, the volunteer-run outdoor fine art market in downtown Mobile’s DeTonti Square Historic District, is coming back for its third year with its biggest lineup yet. Forty-four artists will set up on Saturday, Nov. 14, and every dollar raised through the event’s art raffle will go toward the DeTonti Square Community Garden.

The free market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 254 St. Anthony St. Admission is open to the public, and organizers say they hope moving the event closer to the holiday season will bring out even more shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind gifts.

From 26 artists to 44 in three years

Arti Gras has grown quickly since it began. The first market featured 26 artists. This year’s roster of 44 makes it the largest edition so far.

The event is organized by Kathy Sims and Gail Lea. Sims, an artist herself, came up with the original idea for Arti Gras. Lea, president of the DeTonti Square Neighborhood Association, brought her organizational experience to the project. Together they have built an event that runs entirely on volunteer power and supports both local artists and a green space their neighborhood cares about.

Original art, not arts and crafts

What sets Arti Gras apart from many weekend markets is its focus. Organizers say the market is centered on original visual art rather than traditional arts and crafts. That means shoppers can expect paintings, drawings, prints, mixed media and other original work.

Organizers have described Arti Gras as a small art incubator. It is designed to give established artists a place to show their work while also opening the door to newcomers, especially artists who are not represented by a gallery or who have never taken part in an art market before. For a first-time exhibitor, a small neighborhood event can be a lower-pressure way to price work, talk with buyers and get a feel for what sells.

Where the money goes

Proceeds benefit the DeTonti Square Community Garden, which sits in the city-owned park on North Conception Street. Each year’s market has paid for a specific improvement:

• Year one: Proceeds paid to replace the garden’s existing beds with new raised metal planting beds.
• Year two: Funds helped provide additional soil for the garden.
• Year three: This year’s goal is to add more pollinator-friendly plants.

Pollinator plants are flowering species that provide food and habitat for bees, butterflies and other insects that help plants reproduce. Adding them to an urban garden can support local wildlife and make the space more attractive to visitors.

The art raffle

The biggest fundraising piece of Arti Gras is its art raffle. Participating artists donate pieces of their work, and visitors buy tickets for a chance to win them.

• Tickets cost $5 each or 12 for $50.
• Winners do not have to be present to claim their artwork.

Vendor fees paid by artists mainly cover the event’s operating costs, such as permits and insurance. That structure lets the money raised through the raffle go to the garden.

A Mardi Gras society lends a hand

The name Arti Gras is a nod to Mobile’s Mardi Gras heritage, and the connection goes beyond the name. A local Mardi Gras mystic society provides the property for the event at no charge. Mobile is home to the oldest annual Carnival celebration in the United States, and its mystic societies are a long-standing part of the city’s civic and social life, especially downtown.

New this year for artists

Organizers are also making changes behind the scenes. This year, Arti Gras will add an artist hospitality area and streamline setup procedures to make the day easier for the people exhibiting. For artists who load in early, stay on their feet for six hours and pack up after the crowd leaves, small conveniences can make a big difference.

Organizers say attendance has grown substantially since the first market, and they are hoping the November date, just ahead of the holiday shopping season, will draw an even larger crowd.

About the DeTonti Square Historic District

DeTonti Square is one of downtown Mobile’s historic residential neighborhoods, located just north of the central business district. It is known for its 19th-century townhouses, ironwork balconies and tree-lined streets, and it is listed as a historic district. The neighborhood association has long worked to preserve the area’s character and improve its shared spaces, and the community garden is one of those projects.

Arti Gras 2026 artists

The following artists and groups are scheduled to take part this year:

• Margaret Andres
• Barton Academy Fine Art Class
• Lynn Buffalow
• Claire Burton
• Paul Campbell
• Barbara Cobb
• Chandre Collier
• Zack Cox
• Emily Demouey
• Sam Dennis
• Dan Dolan
• Evan Duffy
• Margaret Duran
• Stacey Easley
• Leslie Elmore
• Leo Ferreira
• Vernon Fowlkes
• Bradford Fuller
• Richard Gentry
• Kelene Gunderson
• Samatha Harvey
• Haute Heads
• Janet Hinton
• Anna Mary Hollis
• Patrick Hurley
• Beth Kelly
• Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough
• Dr. Walker Ladd
• Laura Ledbetter
• Raina Macks
• Anita O’Dell
• Alex Osborne
• Anna Parks
• Noelle Pee
• Catherine Potter
• Roxanne Rawls
• Johnna Rogers
• Shana Santos
• Heather Stewart
• J. D. Swiger
• Britney Taylor
• Marnee Wiley
• Lisa Warren
• A surprise artist

The list includes the Barton Academy Fine Art Class, a student group from Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, the Mobile County Public Schools magnet school housed in the historic Barton Academy building on Government Street. Organizers are also keeping one spot a mystery, listing a “surprise artist” on this year’s roster.

Tips for visitors

• Bring cash and cards. Payment methods may vary from artist to artist.
• Buy raffle tickets early. Winners do not need to be present, so you can buy tickets, enjoy the market and head home.
• Shop for the holidays. Original art makes a personal gift, and buying directly from the artist supports local creative work.
• Walk the neighborhood. DeTonti Square’s historic architecture is worth a stroll, and the community garden on North Conception Street is a short walk away.

If you go

• What: Arti Gras 2026, an outdoor fine art market
• When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: 254 St. Anthony St., DeTonti Square Historic District, downtown Mobile
• Cost: Free admission; raffle tickets $5 each or 12 for $50
• Benefits: DeTonti Square Community Garden
• Artists: 44, the largest lineup in the event’s three years