November 30, 2017. Louisville, KY. – The 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival Poster will be twinspired! Louisville artists and twin sisters – Jeaneen Barnhart and Doreen Barnhart DeHart – have been selected as the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Official Poster Artists for the 2018 Festival. This is a five-peat for the sisters, as they also collaborated on artwork for the Festival’s Official Poster in 1994, 1997, 2009, and 2014.
Jeaneen specializes in painting and drawing, and Doreen in graphic design. The two have collaborated on a number of award-winning projects, in addition to their individual artistic accomplishments. Both sisters received Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from Alfred University in New York.
“The 2018 Festival poster will be somewhat reminiscent of the first one we did together, but will stand alone as a unique collaboration of Jeaneen’s energetic charcoal strokes matched up with my attention to detail,” said Doreen Barnhart DeHart. “Since our last poster in 2014, we have continued to inspire each other, as well as be inspired by the community around us. Our passion and commitment will always be strong, and with Louisville.”
All of the Barnharts’ Festival posters are among the top selling images. Fans can still purchase most of their previous artwork through the Festival’s website at www.kdf.org. The 2018 poster will be released, along with the official merchandise line and other elements of the 2018 Festival at “Festival Unveiled” on Thursday, March 1st at the Mellwood Arts Center. Tickets for the event go on sale in January.
“Artwork by the Barnharts can be found all around Louisville. They are great friends of the Derby Festival and we’re flattered they continue to create iconic artwork for us,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO. “We know the 2018 poster will be just as popular as their other Festival pieces.”
Over the years, the Derby Festival’s Official Poster Series has become a unique symbol of the community. Past 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.
Four Roses Bourbon and Citizens Union Bank are Presenting Sponsors of Festival Unveiled, with Contributing Sponsor Ladyfingers Catering and Media Sponsors LEO Weekly and 106.9 PLAY.
