PRP High School student wins Grand Prize in Kentucky Derby Museum's 39th annual art competition
Horsing Around With Art exhibition now open to the public
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 27, 2025) – Kentucky Derby Museum is pleased to announce Kayci Shacklette, a sophomore at Pleasure Ridge Park (PRP) High School, as the Grand Prize Winner of the 39th annual Horsing Around With Art (HAWA) competition, presented by WinStar Farm.
Museum leaders and representatives from PRP High School surprised Shacklette on Monday morning with a dozen red roses and the exciting news. Shacklette’s winning artwork, The Final Furlong, will be professionally framed and prominently displayed at the museum. In addition to this recognition, Shacklette received a Spring Race Day Experience prize package sponsored by Churchill Downs, and PRP High School’s art department was awarded $500 to purchase art supplies.
Patrick Armstrong, President and CEO of Kentucky Derby Museum, shared his thoughts on the significance of the competition: "Horsing Around With Art is our way of supporting and funding the arts in local schools while encouraging students to explore their creativity through the lens of the Kentucky Derby®. We are honored to celebrate the incredible talent of these young artists and provide a platform to showcase their work for our community."
The Grand Prize is presented to the student whose artwork best embodies the essence of the Kentucky Derby. Mike Anderson, Churchill Downs Racetrack President, praised Shacklette’s piece, saying, "The Final Furlong truly captures the spirit of the Kentucky Derby as thousands of fans cheer during the final stretch of the most exciting two minutes in sports."
This year’s competition attracted an impressive 255 submissions from students in grades 1-12, representing 37 public, private, and parochial schools. The entries, showcasing a variety of artistic styles and mediums, are now on display on the museum’s second floor from January 27 through April 18. Visitors can view the exhibit with general admission to the museum.
In total, the museum will award $6,000 in prizes to winning schools’ art departments. All participating students and winners will be celebrated during a special ceremony at the museum on March 4.
The Kentucky Derby Museum congratulates Kayci Shacklette and all the talented students who participated in this year’s competition, celebrating the vibrant spirit of the Derby and the power of artistic expression.
The museum would also like to recognize and thank the following panel of judges for their participation in the competition: Patrick Armstrong, KDM President & CEO; Mike Anderson, Churchill Downs Racetrack President; Olivia Desch, WinStar Farm Marketing Coordinator & Stallion Season Sales; Mary Paige Lacy, WinStar Farm Experience Director & Bloodstock Assistant; Jenny Pfanenstiel, KDM Featured Milliner; Rickelle Nelson, KDM Horsemen's Relations and Reservation Coordinator; Kathy Bloch, KDM Outriders Volunteer Program Member; Judy Bortner, KDM Outriders Volunteer Program Member; Joanie Sample, KDM Outriders Volunteer Program Member; Russell Saunders, KDM Outriders Volunteer Program Member; Wylie Caudill, Artist of Derby 150; Melisa Gano, Retired Art Educator; Lesa Pickinpaugh, Art @ 106 Gallery Director; Katy Delahanty, Portland Museum Executive Director; Rachel Singel, Artist; Tyler Robertson, Artist of Derby 151.
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MEDIA NOTE: This Dropbox link provides photos of the surprise at PRP High School on Monday morning and high-resolution images of some of this year's winning entries. All images require a courtesy for Kentucky Derby Museum.