By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
A 2017 Glasgow High School graduate is a key artist for the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Grayson Reynolds was announced by Churchill Downs as the artist of both the official, and collectible, Mint Julep Glass and the poster for the 152nd Kentucky Derby. The Glasgow native now lives in Texas.
“It’s truly such an honor to be able to do this,” Reynolds said. “I’m so excited about this.”
She is the first artist to design both Derby staples, according to Reynolds.
“Usually the Churchill team [designs the glasses] internally, but they asked me if I wanted to do it,” she added. “So I am the first artist to do the glasses.”
The Mint Julep Glass, which “is viewed by many authorities as the leading Derby collectible,” according to a Churchill Downs press release, features three horses surrounded by roses. Reynolds said she was limited to seven colors when designing the glasses.
“There’s lots of floral patterns on the glasses because that’s what the horses are draped in,” Reynolds said. “I wanted it to feel like as you’re drinking you’re [also] cheering to the winner; you’re in the celebration with the winner.”
In addition to the glasses, Reynolds is also the artist of the “Art of the Derby” that features five horses charging at the viewer — an atypical depiction of the Derby, according to Reynolds.
“The inspiration had a lot to do with, obviously, the horses, but I wanted to do them from a different perspective,” Reynolds said. “A lot of times they’re shown running from the side, but I wanted them to be racing towards the viewer…and there’s lots of roses in the dirt and then the spires over the top because that’s such an iconic piece of architecture.”
The 152nd Kentucky Derby will take place on May 2, 2026.
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