Art and digital media design faculty selected as ’26 Derby Festival poster artist
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2026) — University of Kentucky School of Art and Visual Studies lecturer Shae Goodlett has been named the artist for the official 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival poster. Goodlett’s design will be featured on the festival’s 2026 official merchandise line, including clothing, accessories, glassware and mugs. The poster will be unveiled in February.
“As a native Louisvillian, the poster release is something I look forward to every year. To be named this year’s artist feels like a bucket-list accomplishment,” Goodlett said. “I really leaned into the spontaneity of mark making and color application, creating moments in the piece that might be hard to replicate even for myself. I think this approach holds an energy similar to that of the events of the Derby Festival itself.”
Goodlett is a Louisville-based designer, illustrator and arts educator. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Bellarmine University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Louisville, where he studied graphic design and studio art. Goodlett began his illustration career as a weekly contributor to Louisville Magazine and published his first book, “The Meatshower,” in 2018.
His work has appeared in national outlets including Sports Illustrated, and his production art has been installed in venues such as Heaven Hill Distillery and the White House Visitor Center. He has also designed merchandise and apparel for internationally recognized music acts. Working primarily on paper, Goodlett maintains an active studio practice exploring personal and familial history, identity, regional industry and popular culture.
“The School of Art and Visual Studies so excited and proud to have Professor Goodlett representing Kentucky and the UK College of Fine Arts on such a huge platform,” said Ruth Adams, director of the School of Art and Visual Studies. “People from all over the world know about the Derby and as such his artwork will showcase the fantastic talent of our UK faculty. We cannot wait for the big reveal in February.”
Goodlett’s selection underscores the University of Kentucky’s commitment to fostering creative excellence and highlights the caliber of talent within the College of Fine Arts’ faculty.
This year marks the 71st anniversary of the Kentucky Derby Festival, a month-long celebration with more than 70 events leading up to the Derby. As an independent community organization, supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation, the festival entertains more than 1.5 million people every spring and has a local economic impact of more than $127 million. This involvement has made the festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.