Kentucky Derby Festival official poster artist named

Image will be unveiled March 2

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2016) — The Kentucky Derby Festival has selected nationally renowned artist Kathy Sullivan as the official poster artist for the 2016 Derby Festival. Her artwork will be featured throughout the festival’s official poster and merchandise line. Sullivan’s image goes to print this Friday. It will be unveiled publicly at Festival Unveiled on March 2.

Sullivan emerged on the painting scene via her unconventional roots in art therapy. As an expressive therapist, Sullivan learned the unconditional sense of expressive acceptance through her clients. Sullivan’s use of vibrant colors and bold marks can be seen on the walls of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium; the 2006 Woodford Reserve bottle; the walls of Humana Corporation; and throughout the pages of American Art Collector Magazine.

Sullivan will be on hand to sign copies of her original image at the Derby Festival’s first event of the spring, Festival Unveiled at 5 p.m. on March 2 at the Mellwood Arts Center.

Past artist designs decorate offices and homes throughout the city. Peter Max’s expressionistic “Bluegrass Pegasus” launched the series in 1981, and a stylistic and geographical mix of artists have been showcased over the years. The signed collector editions continue to significantly increase in value, and the quality of the Poster Series has been recognized worldwide.