BLUE GRASS AIRPORT’S MOSAIC ART PLACES EMPHASIS ON KENTUCKY’S EQUINE HERITAGE
April 2, 2010 – As an important arts and heritage component of the recently remodeled Blue Grass Airport terminal building, a floor tile mosaic in the main entry of the terminal was created to reflect the historical linage of the world’s top Thoroughbred horses. The artwork mosaic has a life of 25 to 30 years and will welcome an estimated 25 million travelers and visitors who will use Blue Grass Airport during the artwork’s life span.
For two centuries, the equine industry in central Kentucky has been a major component of the region’s economic development. The Thoroughbred race horse named Lexington (1850-1879) became the most successful sire during the last half of the nineteenth century. The bay colt was one of the reasons the city of Lexington is called “The Horse Capital of the World.” Kentucky’s equine industry has grown over the last two century’s to become a highly significant component of the state’s economy.
The sire lines in the mosaic trace Central Kentucky’s breeding history back to the mid 1800s and includes horses such as Lexington, Nasrullah, Unbridled, Seattle Slew, Mr. Prospector and Northern Dancer. More than 800 horses are included in the concentric circular art mosaic at Blue Grass Airport. The linage data were researched and designed by Prominent Sire Lines, LLC and the tile mosaic was crafted by Martina Brothers Co.
“The thoroughbred horse is Central Kentucky’s iconic brand. For many people – here and around the world – it is our most enduring image,” said Nick Nicholson, president and CEO of Keeneland Association. “This mosaic art at the airport highlights those enduring images in an appropriate and compelling fashion. We are proud to have helped make this mosaic a reality as part of the critically important renovations taking place at Blue Grass Airport.”
The art mosaic is part of more than $66 million of renovations being completed at the airport this year. Installation and materials for the art mosaic project totaled $239,000 and were paid for with fees generated by passengers using the airport. The license to use the artwork was generously donated by the owner of Prominent Sire Lines in America royalty-free.
“The airport provides an excellent venue for the community to highlight the culture, heritage, and economic vitality of the Bluegrass,” said Bobby Owens, chairman of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board. “We take great pride as visitors from around the world arrive at the airport and gain immediate insight into our region through the artwork that is displayed.”
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