Artwork by: Artist Keith Anderson
Itโs Kentucky Derby time! I know Iโll be gathered with friends somewhere in my big hat, floral dress, and drinking a mint julep. The official Kentucky Derby race this year is Saturday, May 4th. The Derby is presented by Woodford Reserve and is the top rank Grade I stakes race for three-year old Thoroughbreds. Known as โThe most exciting two minutes in sports,โ the race distance is one and one-quarter miles long on a dirt race track. It takes about two minutes for the winning horse to run from the starting gate to the finish line.
The Derby takes place in Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky. The spectator sport has a long history and will be celebrating its 145th anniversary this year. Thereโs so much history and traditions to the Kentucky Derby. One being the cocktail the Mint Julep. The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of the Kentucky Derby for over a century now. For about two decades Woodford Reserve has a special limited edition Kentucky Derby Bottle. The coveted bottle is sold all over the world and is known to be a collectorโs item.
Woodford Reserve 2019 Limited Edition Derby Bottle. Photo Cred: Woodford Reserve
For the last two years the bottle art work design was created by artist and hospitality professional, Keith Anderson. Keith Anderson is a Louisville native and also the first African American Artist to have his artwork displayed on the Woodford Reserve Derby Bottle. I looked more into the Kentucky Derby and didnโt realize that African Americans played a vital role in the race. For example 13 of the 15 riders in the first derby race were African American. I was super excited to have a chat with Keith to find out more about his artistic artwork and how life has changed since having his artwork featured not only on the 2019 limited edition Woodford Reserve bottle, but the 2018 limited edition Woodford Reserve bottle as well. Check out our one on one interview below.
Tavi J. One on One Interview with Artist Keith Anderson
Youโre an emerging artist and a hospitality professional. How long have you been with Brown-Forman?
Iโve worked for them now going on 13 years. Iโve worked several hospitality related jobs.
Have you always created art on the side?
My artwork has always been a passion. To me itโs never been a side thing. It was always a passion deal. Iโm getting more business and more opportunities now though. Thatโs what makes it great. Iโve always been an artist, but the addition to doing the bottle opened up more doors. Itโs A LOT more busier for me, which is what I always wanted.
What other type of artwork do you do? Whatโs your forte?
I was taught to do a little bit of everything. Right now itโs all about Derby! A lot of people are into the horses. I do a variety of artwork and work with a lot of mediums. I work with water color, oil, acrylic, I sketch, draw, paint, abstract. I grew up with art. My brothers were very artistic and taught me a lot.
Artwork: Artist Keith Anderson
How often are you working on art pieces?
I work on art every day. When I finish my day job I would always go home and work on my art at night. Now since I have a little one I work later at night, but when I was single I would get off of work and wind down the day working on art. I can create until the sun comes up. My art studio is in my basement, but Iโm working on getting my own gallery. That would be really nice!
What location are you thinking for your gallery? Louisville?
I would like to start in Louisville of course, but then every cityโฆ.like Chicago and New York. I was in Harlem New York recently for their African American Harlem Renaissance Derby Day party. The party was founded by Rob Ownes and their going on their 7th year. The Harlem Renaissance Derby Party was great! Not only is it tradition, but itโs history. I knew about African American Jockeys, but I didnโt know a lot of the rich history that they taught me there. I did a piece of artwork for them and Iโm planning to have an art show there soon.
How did you come up with the 2019 design for the Woodford Reserve bottle? Were you asked to come up with the design?
I was asked by the Woodford Reserve team to do the design for both the 2018 and 2019 bottles. I was already grateful and very thankful to be doing it last year. Iโm very thankful to be a part of the Woodford Reserve team. This year during a strategy meeting we were going over everything and they looked at me and were like โYou know youโre doing the bottle this year?โ I was like OMGโฆback to back! I was shocked! Itโs such an honor. Usually they get a well-known artist from various cities. To have your artwork displayed around the world like this is such an honor. The bottles will also be on display at the Frazier History Museum.
As far as the design I already knew what I wanted to do. Being at the track all week long and through the yearsโฆ.I already knew the design. Thatโs where I got the inspiration for the first one. As an artist my head is just flowing with a plethora of ideas. My wife was talking to me at the Derby last year and she said I know youโre not the artist yet but what would be your next concept?
I said to her I would show her once the race starts. Once it started I showed her now their offโฆ.their coming out of the gatesโฆ now wait for itโฆ.and THERE! I told her I plan on doing an image when their passing the grand stand for the first time and she was like OMG! That image put a chill in my body when I think about it. Thatโs just one of many things you see as an artist. Then when you put it on canvas itโs like man oh man. To me satisfaction is when I have this idea/concept and then I share it with the Woodford team and there like OH MAN!!! There excitement makes me happy. Iโm very thankful and thank God for the opportunity.
Are you already thinking of a new idea in case they come to you again for 2020?
My wife asked me that. Iโm enjoying this ride, but trust me I would have something ready!
Most people Iโm assuming are looking at the Woodford Reserve Derby bottles as collectorโs items? Do you suggest people save the bottle versus drinking it?
Get two bottles. One to display and one to drink. At these bottle signings Iโve come across people that tell me they donโt even drink, but their getting it for the artwork. Woodford Reserve will sell without a doubt even if thereโs nothing on the label, so when people tell me they’re getting the bottle specifically for my artwork, it makes me feel great! Itโs nice when you get an email about your artwork from all over the world. I had a gentlemen from Japan send me a picture of him with the bottle.
We all know that the Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. With that said what other drink are we sleeping on that we could be making with the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey?
The Woodford Spire. Thatโs made with Woodford Reserve, Cranberry Juice, and Lemonade.
Yum! Sounds Delicious!! The Kentucky Derby is considered the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. Youโve been plenty of times. For those of us that havenโt been to the Kentucky Derby what is the atmosphere like?
Itโs like thereโs electricity in the air. Itโs all excitement, funโฆ.the way people dressโฆthereโs nothing like it. Derby is all weekend long. Usually the out of towners attend Friday and Saturday. The locals go on Thursdays. They call it Thurby. The Derby is something the city can be very proud of. I was born and raised here and Iโm very proud of the derby. It shows out of towners what Louisville is all about.
What is Louisville all about?
Itโs about Bourbon, artwork, and hospitality. We have so many great restaurants. Itโs a southern friendly atmosphere like no other.
If we were to come to town what are two of your favorite restaurants we should check out?
OMG one off of the top of my head is Bonefish Grill another one is Doc Crowโs. Good ambience and very good food. Also Wiltshire Pantry and Wiltshire on the Market are very unique. The menu changes daily and itโs very rare to find a place that does that.
I was reading the history of the Kentucky Derby and that African American men played a vital role in shaping the early Kentucky Derby. 13 of the 15 riders in the first derby were African American. Iโve never been to the Kentucky Derby, but how is the diversity in the crowd over the years.
Of course back in the early days it wasnโt that diverse, but now you have all types of nationalities present, which is great. Itโs all across the board. You see people from all nationalities doing hospitality or enjoying the race. Thatโs really good to see. As African Americans weโve come a long way. I plan to read more history of the African American Jockeys, I didnโt realize they were winning like that. It was such a learning experience when I attended the Harlem Renaissance Derby Party in New York.
So whatโs next for Keith Anderson?
I want to get my name out there. I want to be heard. Iโm not where I want to be just yet. I want to hear people say โIโve been seeing your artwork all over the place.โ I want the name Keith Anderson to be known. Art is a passion for me.
To keep up to date on Artist Keith Anderson visit him on his Facebook Page HERE
Be safe and enjoy the Kentucky Derby Responsibly!
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