Kathy Sullivan’s paintings line the walls of the Churchill Downs Jockey Suites and Jockey Club. With her reputation in the equine art world collectors purchase her work before “the paint has a chance to dry”. Sullivan presents 137 paintings of jockey silks, one for each Kentucky Derby winner, alongside her signature large-format expressive portrayals of racehorses and their riders at a special exhibit that opens on Friday, April 20 at Revelry Gallery located in the heart of the Highlands at 980 Barret Ave. The opening reception starts at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m.
“The 138: Homage to the spirit of the Kentucky Derby” will also feature a contemporary multimedia piece; The Bluegrass is Always Greener which chronicles Sullivan’s unique trackside experience of Kentucky Derby 133. Her “joy-turned-anguish experience from that day is when she had a rare privilege of walking on the track with Eight Bells, a filly who earned a place in Derby history when she suddenly fell and was euthanized on the track due to her injuries just minutes before the race.
Sullivan was “mesmerized” by the racer’s grace and professionalism and she managed to capture a video of the horse as they circled the track in the morning hours, which she commemorates in film for the very first time at Revelry Gallery.
“We are taking pre-sale orders for the collection of jockey silks because of the high demand for Sullivan’s work” said owner Paula Weyler. Her business partner, Mo McKnight Howe, said “those that are interested may call Revelry Gallery to reserve their chosen year.” Revelry Boutique-Gallery phone number is (502)414-1ART.
Art Courtesy of Revelry Boutique and Kathy Sullivan.
