Kentucky Derby Museum Opens Annual Student Art Show Horsing Around With Art

Hundreds of pieces of extraordinary student artwork will be on display beginning today, Monday, January 15th, for the Kentucky Derby Museum’s 32nd annual Horsing Around with Art: A Student’s view of the Sport of Kings art competition, presented by WinStar Farm.

The competition is open to students in grades one through 12 from Louisville Metro public, private or parochial schools and showcases the student’s take on the Kentucky Derby in different artistic style, media and form. This year, more than 30 schools submitted over 200 pieces of artwork for the competition.

“Horsing Around with Art is an exhibit we look forward to opening each year. The spirit of the Kentucky Derby and the equine industry is captured with such creativity and talent by all student artists. The quality of the artwork never fails to amaze the judges and visitors alike. It is a wonderful way to celebrate and champion the arts in our local schools,” Kentucky Derby Museum President Patrick Armstrong said.

“WinStar is proud to support the Kentucky Derby Museum’s student art competition that not only encourages youth to participate and express their talent but also to become fans of the Thoroughbred industry in the process. Initiatives that have the ability to create new fans are essential to the sport and generate excitement for one of the industry’s most celebrated events,” President and CEO of WinStar Farm Elliott Walden said.

The 2018 Horsing Around With Art: A Student’s View of the Sport of Kings runs January 15 through February 18 in the Museum’s Matt Winn Gallery.

A panel of judges will select winners in several categories of distinctive and divisional awards.

One Grand Prize winner, whose work is judged to best “capture the spirit of the Kentucky Derby”, will take home six tickets to Kentucky Derby 144 and will have their artwork on display at the Kentucky Derby Museum for one year. Other prizes include a chance to experience Churchill Downs Racetrack’s backside during the first morning of Kentucky Derby Week , a private tour of WinStar Farm, a private tour of Hermitage Farm as well as high quality art supplies.

A total of $6,000 in quality art supplies will be awarded to winning schools’ art departments.

All winners and exhibiting students will be recognized during a ceremony at the Kentucky Derby Museum on February 13.