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The poster series began as a simple marketing project designed to generate pre-season interest in the Derby Festival in 1981. |
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Though primarily an honor for homegrown talent, some internationally renowned artists have designed the poster, including Peter Max, Julius Friedman and Michael Schwab. |
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According to local
framers, the Peter Max work in
1981 is the most valuable KDF
poster. |
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C.M. (Sonny) Whittle is the first artist to have three works represented (1985 collaboration with Mark Bird, 1990, 2005). |
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Several artists have had two of their works represented: Jeff Tull (1991, 1995), Mark Bird (1985 collaboration with Sonny Whittle and 1993),
Jeaneen & Doreen Barnhart (1994, 1997), and Karen Boone (1996, 1999). |
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The KDF poster has been designed by twins,
Jeaneen & Doreen Barnhart twice. |
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….and a QUEEN…1989 artist, Elizabeth Paige Penna based her work on her experience as a former Derby Festival Queen |
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The two Tull designs and two Whittle designs are the most requested to frame. |
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The Festival series has been a tremendous launching pad for local artists since it's change of focus to showcase regional talent in the past ten years (i.e.
Jeaneen Barnhart was a virtually unknown graphic designer at a local frame shop when she designed the 1994 poster. Her success with the poster launched her own design firm.) |
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The Festival poster series creates a giant "boom" in the April/May retail sales at area frame shops, It's a real "Christmas in springtime" as the unveiling creates not only interest in sales of the current poster, but past year's designs as well. |
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Louisville is a very "art-aware" city; the Festival poster seems to heighten that interest even in people without a real passion for original art. |
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From art galleries and frame shops to the Targets, Dillards and beyond, the Derby Festival poster image is included as a backdrop for sales displays across the area - as the image is used to stir customer interest during spring. |
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For over 10 years, the Poster Premiere features a "silent auction" of custom-framed posters donated by area galleries. This project has exposed some extraordinary pieces and afforded the galleries an opportunity to showcase their handiwork in framing ideas. An award is given to the local framer with the best original framing. |
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Your Community Bank has been a
sponsor of the Poster Premiere
since 2007. Budweiser Select
sponsored the event in 2006.
Midwestern Insurance Alliance
sponsored the event from
2002-2005. The Bank of
Louisville sponsored the
Official Poster in 1985, 1988 -
2001. (Bourbon brands
co-sponsored the poster in 1986
and 1987). |
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The Festival introduced a new feature at the 2003 event. The first “artistic interpretations” featured the work of four local artists who produced original works in their chosen medium based on their view of Risa Yussman's poster image. From glass work to a quilt, the artists' take on the poster image went on public display and was auctioned for charity. |
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2006 marks the first time black and white photography has been used in the Festival poster. It is also the first time three poster artists have contributed to a poster design. |
