Louisville Horse Art Project Launched

Following on the hoofs of successful efforts in Lexington and Ocala, Fla., Louisville, Ky., will soon be filled with artistic horses that will eventually be auctioned.

Louisville, which is calling its program Gallopalooza, will feature 200 fiberglass horses, many celebrating the winners of the Kentucky Derby. The horses will be displayed in Louisville beginning next spring, and then will be auctioned at Churchill Downs on Oct. 23.

Of the auction proceeds, half will go to Brightside, a local beautification project. The other 50% will be donated to the purchaser's charity of choice.

Local businesses have already begun sponsoring the horses, at a price of $3,500 to $10,000. The artists are each paid $1,500.

In 2000, Lexington was the first to have artists decorate horses. There were 79 horses as part of Horse Mania, which raised $757,600 to benefit local arts groups.

In March of 2002, Ocala's Horse Fever auctioned 52 fiberglass horses for $846,000.