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A 12-foot-high frame topiary in the shape of a horse today joined two countdown clocks downtown as reminders that the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are coming soon. In addition, organizers announced plans for a poster contest to highlight Spotlight Lexington 2010, the Festival the city is planning to welcome visitors.
Mayor Jim Newberry said the topiary, located in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza near the corner of Main and Limestone streets, will be a visual reminder for Lexington citizens that the Games are getting closer and closer. “In addition, it will add to the beauty of our downtown,” Newberry said. “It is striking because of its size, and we will have several opportunities to do different plantings.” Final plans have not been made about what plants will be used.
Deadline to enter the poster contest is June 26. The contest is open to artists of all ages.
Jim Clark, LexArts President and CEO, said a seven-member jury of professionals will select the top three pieces. Judges include Clark; Julie Decker, Chair, Georgetown College Art Department; Mike Deetsch, Lexington Art League Exhibitions & Programs Director; Sonja Brooks, Sishpromateum Art Foundation, Jack Kelly, Marketing Chair for the Host Committee; Mary Wathen, Host Committee member and artist; and Penny Ebel, city special events director.
Newberry said the winning poster will become the official poster of the Festival. “The poster will reflect Lexington’s lively, creative arts community,” Newberry said. “It will get great exposure during the Festival, and I expect it will be found hanging on the walls of Lexington offices and homes for many years to come.”
The Festival includes 17 days and evenings of fun downtown, beginning Sept. 24, one day before the Games, with an evening dedicated to local citizens called “Celebrate Spotlight Lexington.” The Festival will continue through the evening of the final day of the Games, Oct. 10. Ultimately, organizers hope the festival will become an annual event.
Plans for the Festival include:
Entertainment, arts and crafts or children’s activities at three locations downtown, the Courthouse Plaza, Cheapside Park and Triangle Park, generally between noon and 9 p.m.
- “Remedaling” ceremonies to honor athletes and broadcast of Games’ competitions displayed on a jumbo screen downtown.
- Mounted police patrol horses with a Spotlight Lexington saddle pad.
- In addition to the topiary, Lexington’s downtown will be decked out in sustainable plants and flowers in a coordinated color scheme.
- Celebration packages will be available for downtown businesses interested in Festival display items.
- Development of merchandise line that will showcase Spotlight Lexington, as well as our partners, through co-branding opportunities.
- Volunteer booths will be scattered throughout downtown to demonstrate Southern hospitality at its most gracious.
Forms are available on the city’s website, www.lexingtonky.gov, for citizens who would like to volunteer for the festival and entertainers who would like to participate.
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SPOTLIGHT LEXINGTON 2010 OFFICIAL POSTER DESIGN
In anticipation of the downtown festivities during SPOTLIGHT LEXINGTON and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, we are looking for a drawing/painting to commemorate the celebration. The winning artwork will be converted into the official poster for SPOTLIGHT LEXINGTON and used in conjunction with LFUCG’s Host Committee’s marketing efforts. Submissions should envision the festivities in downtown Lexington during SPOTLIGHT LEXINGTON.
If you are interested in participating here are some things to know:
- This contest is open to Artists of all ages and skill levels.
- Horizontal orientation is required.
- The selected piece will be resized to fit a 36” x 24” poster including a 3” banner at the bottom. The banner will include the event title (SPOTLIGHT LEXINGTON) and the logo.
With your submission, on single page, please provide the following artist information:
- Name of Artist(s)
- Address including city, state and zip code
- Day and Evening Phone Number
- Email address
- If Artist is a Minor, please provide the name of the minor’s parent or guardian.
- Describe the artist’s education and/or experience
Deadline to enter or submit your art is June 26, 2009. Submissions and artist information should be dropped off at LFUCG Government Center, Mayor’s Office, Attention Krista A. Greathouse, 200 East Main Street, Lexington, KY
The contest will be judged by a jury of professionals. The top three artists will be notified by July 10.
By submitting a drawing or painting into this competition all rights associated with it become the sole property of SPOTLIGHT LEXINGTON, LFUCG, and LFUCG’s Host Committee. Selected artists will receive local, regional, national and international exposure. LFUCG may wish to acquire the art. Outside of the top three entries, art may be picked up at the Government Center after August 1, 2009.
For more information, please contact Krista A. Greathouse, Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games liaison for the Mayor’s Office, at kgreathouse@lfucg.com or (859) 258-3100.
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PHOTO CAPTIONS: (Above) Mayor Jim Newberry at the event along with Jim Clark and Carolyn Richardson. (Inserted) the topiary.