Bourbon barrels + original art + NKY’s city streets = NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk
In 2019, the NKY Bourbon Barrel Project placed more than 100 custom painted bourbon barrels around the rivers cities. This year, the project is coming back as the NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk, and the organizers are seeking both sponsors and artists.
As the “Gateway to Bourbon Country,” Northern Kentucky is steeped in the history and appreciation of bourbon. The Bourbon Barrel Walk will highlight the region’s bourbon connection, as well as the fun entertainment destinations in the river cities.
Local businesses and organizations will sponsor the bourbon barrels. They will then be matched up with local artists to create custom designs for the barrels. Once the barrels are complete, they will be displayed on city streets so that they form a path that takes people from the river through the business and entertainment districts of Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue and Dayton.
Sponsoring businesses receive a discount if they are a member of the NKY Chamber of Commerce. The project is being coordinated by Jill Morenz, who directs the NKY Public Arts Network for the Catalytic Fund.
To sponsor a barrel, simply visit the website and fill out the sponsorship form there. This is a great way to show support for the arts and the businesses in the entertainment districts, as well as helping to create a piece of original public art.
Artists who would like to apply for a bourbon barrel commission are encouraged to apply on the website. By painting a barrel, they will gain valuable exposure to business owners, residents and visitors, while helping to build the “Walk,” giving people a fun way to discover new shops, restaurants and bars.
Sponsorship and artist applications close on April 30. The Bourbon Barrel Walk will be completed in late July. For more information, please visit the NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk website.
Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.
