Bart Forbes, one of America's most celebrated sports artists, will create the official art of the 2005 Kentucky Derby as the prestigious "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Forbes works in oils and his paintings are done in glazes that layer simple and familiar subjects over abstract patterns. The painting will be featured on official licensed prints and posters commemorating the 2005 renewal of the famed "Run for the Roses." Forbes' work will also be featured on tickets to the Kentucky Derby and other officially licensed Kentucky Derby merchandise.

The work created by Forbes to commemorate the 131st running of the Kentucky Derby will be introduced to the public at a formal unveiling during a media briefing at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. (EDT). Bart Forbes will attend that briefing and will discuss his work for the "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series and his distinguished career.

The official Kentucky Derby artwork created by Forbes was commissioned by JettSport, Inc., a Louisville, Ky.-based sport-and-event graphics company that is in its fifth year as the official licensee for Churchill Downs' 10-year-old "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series. Artists and illustrators previously commissioned by JettSport for the "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series include Francis Livingston (2004), Laura Smith (2003), Gary Kelley (2002) and legendary singer Tony Bennett (2001).

"Churchill Downs welcomes Bart Forbes to the incredible roster of artists and illustrators who have focused their talent and vision to the 'Art of the Kentucky Derby' series over the past ten years," said Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs. "Fans of the race and collectors of great American sports art have cherished the pieces created for this marvelous series through its first decade and the series has grown to become an important part of the rich tradition of the Kentucky Derby."

Born in Oklahoma, Forbes graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1961. Following duty in the Army, he launched his art career by attending the Art Center School in Los Angeles, Cal. An avid golfer, Forbes has been interested in a wide range of sports throughout his career and he has long been recognized as one of the leading sports artists of his day.

Forbes will add his vision of America's greatest race to the collection of works he has created over the years to commemorate such events as the Olympic Games, Boston Marathon, Indianapolis 500, The Americas Cup, and PGA events such as the Ryder Cup, The Players' Championship and the Seniors Tour. Many fans will recognize Forbes' memorable work for Sports Illustrated and Time, but his original paintings include works that are featured in the private collections of the Smithsonian Institution, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and the National Football League.

The Korean Olympics committee selected Forbes as selected as the "Official Artist of the Olympics" for the 1988 Games in Seoul and those paintings are housed in the Olympic Museum in that South Korean city. Forbes also created the paintings that were featured on the official posters for the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

He has also designed more than 20 commemorative postage stamps for the U.S. Postal Service, including a stamp commemorating the 1988 Olympics, baseball legend Lou Gehrig, Olympic hero Jesse Owens and the "America the Beautiful" series.

Earlier work by Bart Forbes may be viewed on the Internet at www.bartforbes.com. Previous artwork and officially licensed merchandise in the "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series is available at www.derbyartgifts.com.

Earlier artists to participate in the "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series include Leroy Neimann, Peter Max, Boguslaw Lustyk, Peter Williams and Sonny Whittle.

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