You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink bourbon. It’s Derby time again, with artists, galleries and museums doing their part for the “Run for the Roses.”
Jeaneen Barnhart has a reputation around town as an equine artist extraordinaire, whose energy results from her quick drawing technique. Her Derby exhibition, “Glorious Ride,” opens Friday, April 29, at the Gallery at the Brown (Fourth and Broadway, 583-1234, www.brownhotel.com), with a reception from 6-8 p.m. The show closes on June 10.
Barnhart also created the horse and rider featured on the proposed specialty arts license plate. Go to the Kentucky Arts Council website for details (www.artscouncil.ky.gov).
“Arcaro to Shoemaker: A History of Derby Winning Jockeys” is at the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library (301 York St., 574-1611, www.lfpl.org) through May 25. The selections from the Kentucky Derby Museum include the silks worn by Mike Smith during his 2005 ride on Giacomo, and Angel Cordero Jr., who rode Cannonade in 1974. Also on display is Ed Hamilton’s sculpture of African-American jockey Isaac Murphy.
The Second Annual Annmarie Art Breakfast on Saturday, May 7, is a fundraiser for the Annmarie Campbell Artist Scholarship at Murray State University and Louisville’s Art Sanctuary. Named in honor of artist Annmarie Campbell, who died in 2006, the buffet will be at Art Sanctuary (1205 E. Washington St., 713-6178, www.art-sanctuary.org) from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. There will also be art for sale, music, and a fashion show organized by Peacock Boutique. The $35 ticket can be purchased at Art Sanctuary and Peacock Boutique, 2828 Frankfort Ave.
The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (589-0102, 715 W. Main St., www.kentuckyarts.org) is holding its 25th Annual Oaks Brunch on Friday, May 6, at The Brown Hotel. A number of equestrian items are up for bid, such as a one-of-a-kind riding saddle signed by 16 jockeys, including Calvin Borel, Pat Day and Ron Turcotte. Tickets are $150.
KMAC is also in the Derby chapeau business, with hats created by local artists in their Sales Gallery. You can stand on just about any corner in the city and find some place selling Derby hats, including Gallery Janjobe (1860 Mellwood Ave., 899-9293, www.galleryjanjobe.com) in the Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center. Besides the usual ladies’ hats, they added a twist — hats for the guys. They are on display as part of their accurately named Derby exhibition, “Hats and Horses,” through May 21.
A Derby Weekend Pop Up Shop will be at 21c Museum Hotel (700 W. Main St., 217-6300, www.21cmuseum.org) May 4-7. This is a joint venture by 21c and jewelry designer Julia Comer’s Flõ Gallery (803 E. Market St., 458-4164, www.flostudioandgallery.com).
Vintage hats from the late-19th century to the 1980s are on display at the Louisville Science Center (727 W. Main St., 561-6110, www.louisvillescience.org). “Hats! Reflections in Time” is a two-part show, with the first exhibit running through Sept. 30. The hats are part of the Louisville Science Center’s permanent collection of more than 22,000 fashion objects.
The Derby-themed F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop is on April 29 (www.fatfridayhop.org). During the May 5 First Friday Trolley Hop, many galleries will not be open; visit www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com for closings.
