LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hot off the presses! A sign that spring and the Kentucky Derby Festival are on the horizon was front and center this morning as the Festival’s 2023 poster rolled off the presses at Louisville’s Welch Printing. This year’s poster, called “Spirit of Kentucky,” was designed by Louisville artist Liesl Long Chaintreuil, known for her colorful palette and unique technique of using layers of patterns and papers in her work. It’s the 43rd poster in the Festival’s iconic poster series, launched in 1981.
This year’s poster captures the spirit of the Derby Festival through bright colors and iconic imagery, including a sky illustrated with layers of the Pegasus, the signature symbol of the Festival. The poster also showcases images synonymous with the spring celebration and its favored traditions, including fireworks and hot air balloons. In a nod to the community and Festival fans, the piece also features people enjoying Festival activities and wearing various fashions.
Chaintreuil is a Louisville native who attended duPont Manual High School’s Visual Arts Magnet and has been honing her craft for more than 20 years. She’s also a nationally recognized artist who has created children’s art for Colleen Karis Designs, available in T.J. Maxx and Home Goods stores throughout the country. Chaintreuil specializes in creating Kentucky-themed art and has her line of artwork released annually, available at several local art galleries and boutiques and on her website, ArtByLiesl.com.
Welch Printing is a longtime print partner of the Kentucky Derby Festival. While the Louisville-based company has worked with the Festival on other print projects, 2023 marks the second year Welch printed the official poster image.
PRE-ORDER DETAILS: Festival Fans can pre-order the 2023 Limited Edition or Official Poster beginning today and receive FREE shipping on their order. The Limited Edition of 500 signed and numbered posters retails for $60 and the Official poster is $30. NEW THIS YEAR: An 8×10 version of the poster ($20) and a post card size ($5) are also available. All four options, created by the Derby Festival’s Official Merchandise Partner, 12/13 Apparel by Synergism, can be pre-ordered and will be shipped after the public release on March 16. Pre-order online at KDF.org.
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