DEADLINE TO APPLY: July 14th, 2024

Call for Artists: Paint a Bourbon Barrel Stave or Head for the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival

We invite you to participate in the "Bourbon with Heart" artist call to paint a bourbon barrel stave/head for the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival! This is a unique opportunity to showcase your talent in front of the biggest names in bourbon and contribute to a worthy cause.

Key Information:

Barrel Head or Stave:

• You must be willing to paint either a barrel head or a barrel stave (without knowing which one you'll be assigned in advance. If accepted, we will assign you a stave or head.) 
• Barrel Heads: 20”x 20”
• Barrel Staves: Varying widths and degrees of wear and tear

Getting Your Stave/Head:

• Pick-Up Option: Location: East Louisville (specific address shared upon acceptance)
• Shipping Option: If you're not within driving distance of Louisville, we can ship your stave to you. A $45 flat shipping fee applies.

Photoshoot Information:

• The professional photoshoot is mandatory as these photos will be printed in Arts & Spirits Magazine and must be consistently formatted. You must be available to shoot on one of these days/times. 
• Photoshoot Dates:
  • Monday, August 19 - 12 PM to 4 PM
  • Wednesday, August 21 - 3 PM to 7 PM
• Location: Louisville, KY (exact address shared upon acceptance)

Design Guidelines:

• All designs must be "bourbon" or "Kentucky" themed.
• If you’re incorporating a bourbon brand name, it must be from the approved list of participating brands (see photo at bottom of page).
• You can use paint, photography, woodcarving, etc., for your design, but avoid using anything fragile as this makes safe transportation difficult. Many of the VIP attendees of the Bourbon Festival are from out of state, so your artwork could be taking a long trip to its new home, and we want it to get there in one piece.

Completion Deadline:

• Your barrel stave/head must be completed by your photoshoot date. Bring your finished piece to the shoot.

Artist Selection:

• We can only select 20 artists for this event.
•  Artists will be selected based on various factors, not talent alone, to ensure a diverse range of styles and backgrounds in the exhibit. The selection process will also consider creating a good mix of new and returning artists to ensure we provide opportunities for some artists who have never participated in the Bourbon with Heart exhibit. 

Additional Information:

• Your artwork will be displayed in VIP areas at the Bourbon Festival, shared on our website, and promoted on social media.
• A portion of the proceeds from this exhibit will also support Cedar Lake, the largest private provider of residential and community-based services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Kentucky.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Let's get started on this exciting journey!