As the preparations are made for a festive atmosphere in downtown Frankfort for the Governor’s Derby Celebration, one of the final touches will be the tablecloths for the picnic tables. Each picnic table on the Old State Capitol grounds will be shaped like a horse and covered with a “blanket” painted by schoolchildren of all ages from across the Commonwealth.
One of the canvases comes with a poignant story. Students at Knox County Middle School took the opportunity to memorialize a fellow student with their canvas. Shane Smith was struck and killed April 2 while crossing a Knox County highway. The design was traced from a class folder doodle he made the day before he died.
“My heart goes out to the family, friends and teachers of Shane Smith,” said Mrs. Beshear. “I want to thank the teachers who gave students from all parts of Kentucky a way to become involved in the Derby. Each canvas is a wonderful piece of art and a true reflection of our people, our spirit and the beauty of Kentucky.”
The Kentucky Arts Council invited Kentucky schools to participate in this canvas painting project for the Derby celebration on behalf of Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear. The arts council has also created a photo album of the canvases on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/Ijq0fD.
In April, the Governor and First Lady announced that the 76th annual Governor’s Derby Celebration will be held in historic downtown Frankfort for the second year in a row. This year’s celebration will be held on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is free and open to the public. For more information on the celebration, please visit http://governor.ky.gov/derbycelebration.
Release from the Kentucky Arts Council
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.