14 artists chosen for UWOV's 'Barrels of HeART'

United Way of the Ohio Valley has announced its list of 14 artists selected for the organization’s second “Barrels of HeART,” which will be part of the nonprofit’s “75th Anniversary Diamond Celebration” from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 23 at the RiverPark Center.

UWOV put out a call in April for potential artists in the surrounding area to take part by painting bourbon barrels.

This year’s artists include: Sara Beatty, Patrick Bennett, Leeza Dukes, 2023 third-place recipient Will Evans, Jenna Faucheux, Parker Medley, Adrian Nash, Rex Robinson, 2023 winner Brittany Samsil, Danny Sexton and Gena Wilson — all from Daviess County; Brooklyn Logsdon and Terri Minton of Ohio County; and Tony Henning of Vanderburgh County in Indiana.

The event, which debuted last year, was inspired by Louisville-based Bourbon with Heart, Kentucky’s only artist-focused bourbon charity founded by Morgan Hancock.

Hancock curated “Barrels of Heart,” Louisville’s first bourbon-barrel art exhibit, at the Frazier History Museum in 2023, to raise funds for nonprofits while also finding a way to showcase art.

For the inaugural year of UWOV’s “Barrels of HeART,” the 10 artists chosen received their own bourbon barrel to design and a supply budget. The finished barrels were to follow a local or Kentucky heritage theme.

A local sponsor was also associated with each barrel.

Paula Yevincy, UWOV’s president and chief executive officer, said with the initiative being a new idea for the organization and the community, it was uncertain of how it would pan out. However, she deemed the effort a triumph on a few fronts.

“... When it was over and we had those barrels at the convention center and they were not only visible to our community but people outside our community, and they were just amazed at the idea and amazed with the talent, it was considered a really big success,” she said. “... We felt like one of the best things that came out of the event was the connection between the nonprofit and the artist community.

“We were really proud of the relationships that we developed with our artists and the acknowledgement that the artists (received) for their talents.”

According to Yevincy, the 2023 “Barrels of HeART” program, which included the unveiling, a silent auction, bourbon tastings and a raffle, generated approximately $34,000 — all of which went towards UWOV’s 2023-24 campaign — “Why I Give” — in raising $1.6 million for nonprofits in the organization’s coverage area.

Some changes for this year’s “Barrels of HeART” included increasing the number of participating artists by four and allowing people beyond UWOV’s six-county coverage area — Daviess, Hancock, McLean, Ohio, Union and Webster — to apply.

Additionally, Vikki Embry, director of community impact and investment, said there was no set theme this time around.

“(The artists) just had to submit their theme and be approved,” she said. “... We just kind of wanted to open that up to their own creativity and maybe see if we get a different kind of barrel (design) from last year. But some of (the artists) already are doing Kentucky and Owensboro themes.”

Lastly, Embry said the winning artist will be chosen by a specific committee made up of artists rather than last year’s method of a public vote. The winner, like last year, will still receive $1,000 and a donation to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

However, there will be a people’s choice award up for grabs, which Embry said will give the community an opportunity to vote on when the barrels are displayed again at the convention center and also on the night of the event, both via QR code.

Savannah Daniels, director of resource development and marketing, finds moving “Barrels of HeART” to be part of UWOV’s 75-year milestone makes it all the more “special.”

“(We’re) getting to share that with people that are new to this mission with the artists that we have returning and the new artists that we have (who) are so excited,” she said. “It brings a different kind of excitement to the event ….”

According to a press release, the “75th Anniversary Diamond Celebration” will be “a night of celebration, appreciation, achievement awards and recognition of everyone and everything that has made UWOV continue to be a pillar of our community” over the seven-plus decades.

Bracken Darrell, Owensboro native and president and chief executive officer of the global apparel and footwear company VF Corporation (VFC) — which produces popular brands like Vans, The North Face and Timberland — will be the featured keynote speaker.

Tickets for the celebration event are on sale for $75 in honor of the 75th anniversary at uwov.org, uwov75thdiamondcelebration.eventbrite.com or in-person at the UWOV office, 403 Park Plaza Dr.

Sponsorship opportunities for the event and “Barrels of HeART” are also available.

For more information, contact Daniels at [email protected].