Gary Kelley's 2002 "Art Of The Kentucky Derby" Series Artwork Is Unveiled

		10.17.2001	Art By: Gary Kelley
		The official Kentucky Derby 2002 artwork.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2001) - Churchill Downs and JettSport, Inc. have unveiled two paintings by internationally acclaimed American illustrator Gary Kelley that are the featured works in the 2002 "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series, the official artwork for the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Kelley's vivid paintings will adorn the "Art of the Kentucky Derby" posters that will commemorate the Derby and Oaks. The Kentucky Derby will match many of the world's finest 3-year-old Thoroughbreds on Saturday, May 4, and the Kentucky Oaks, a race for 3-year-old fillies, will be renewed on Friday, May 3. Kelley's artwork will also appear on tickets to the events and other officially licensed merchandise.

The "Art of the Kentucky Derby" paintings were unveiled Wednesday evening, Oct. 17 in a reception at the Kentucky Derby Museum hosted by Churchill Downs and JettSport, Inc., the Louisville-based company that is the official licensee of the series and other Churchill Downs artwork. Kelley traveled from his home in Cedar Falls, Iowa to take part in the unveiling.

Kelley's work is known for its overtones of vintage European poster art, which is very popular today. His images often tell a story and draw the viewer into the scene. In his poster for Kentucky Derby 128, Kelley has captured an elegant moment in time on the day of America's greatest race. The pastel rendering depicts a rich, romantic Derby Day paddock scene, with Churchill Downs' famed Twin Spires serving as a backdrop. The oil painting that commemorates the 128th Kentucky Oaks, known through the years as the "Derby for Fillies," evokes a classic scene of elegance. It features a well-dressed woman sipping a mint julep with a horse and rider in the background and the Twin Spires again providing an historic backdrop.

"The striking work by Gary Kelley is unlike anything we've seen in the brief and impressive history of the 'Art of the Kentucky Derby' series and we believe Derby fans around the world will love it," said Alex Waldrop, president of Churchill Downs. "It provides a look at the pageantry and excitement of Derby and Oaks Days through new eyes and Mr. Kelley's view of these great events will be treasured by Derby fans for years to come."

"Our goal for the 2002 'Art of the Kentucky Derby' series was to commission an artist whose view of the Kentucky Derby would be very different from the artists who had participated in previous years," said Clare Jett, a partner with Michele Fischer and Noreen Sullivan in JettSport, Inc. "In choosing Gary Kelley, we knew he would create something beautiful and elegant and the work would be drenched in the exciting tradition of the Kentucky Derby."

Kelley's work has been featured in such publications as Entertainment Weekly, Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Playboy and Sports Illustrated. His artwork is prominently featured on murals located in Barnes and Noble stores across the United States. He has also created work for major sports events in the National Football League and the National Basketball Association. Kelley provided the official artwork for the National Football League's Super Bowl XXIV and Kelley's illustration was used on the game's official poster, program and tickets. He has provided artwork to the NBA for several years and created the theme art for the league's 1998 All-Star Game, which was also used on posters, tickets and other commemorative items. Kelley has received 25 gold and silver medals from the Society of Illustrators annual exhibitions. He has had several solo exhibitions across the United States, as well as in Paris and Tokyo. His illustrations have been featured in many books, including "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", "Rip Van Winkle", "The Necklace", "Macbeth", "Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination", "Boshblobberbosh", and "Tallchief." He received his BA degree in art from the University of Northern Iowa in 1968 and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from that institution in 1995.

The 2001 Kentucky Derby marked JettSport Inc.'s first year as the official licensee for the "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series. The artwork for that installment of the series was a pair of watercolor paintings created by legendary singer and internationally renowned artist Tony Bennett. Earlier this year, the company reached an agreement with Churchill Downs on a three-year contract that will make JettSport, Inc. the official licensee for the series and other track-related art through 2004.

The "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series is entering its sixth year. Artists in the series' earlier years included Leroy Neimann, Peter Max, Boguslaw Lustyk, and Peter Williams.

Note To Media: High resolution files of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks posters are available for editorial purposes at:

www.kyderbyart.com

• USER ID: Media


• PASSWORD: Derbyart

Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) also operates the Louisville Sports Spectrum, an off-track betting facility. Churchill Downs will conduct the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2002. The track has served as host to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships a record five times. The 2001 Fall Meet at Churchill Downs is scheduled for Oct. 28 through Nov. 24. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.