While many Louisvillians gear up to the Kentucky Derby by attending events, practicing their mint julep skills, or shopping for the perfect track outfit, Louisville artist Jaylin Stewart is busy painting Coach bags for the big race.
Pastel-colored Coach purses sit on a folding table in Jaylin’s Louisville Visual Arts studio — each one donning a different hand-painted, Derby-themed image as part of her collaboration with the luxury fashion brand.
See Jaylin this weekend at the Coach store to get a custom bag.
Photo by @jaylinmonetstewart
This weekend will be the third time she’s teamed up with Coach to produce exclusively designed accessories she paints in person at its Outlet Shoppes of The Bluegrass store — stop by on Saturday, April 15, 12-8 p.m. + Sunday, April 16, 12-7 p.m.
“They wanted to find a Louisville artist to come up with different designs to coincide with the Derby, but also to show off our culture here in Kentucky, specifically. So I’m offering them something they can’t get anywhere else. It’s an exclusive event,” she said.
This year’s designs include a horse, of course, a set of roses, and a lady wearing a pink fascinator for the Kentucky Oaks. And new this year, a one-of-a-kind, brown leather duffle bag that will be raffled off for free — which you can be automatically entered to win if you come to one of her events this weekend or buy a purse online. You can text (502)-309-2052 to shop online or make an appointment, but walk-ins are welcome, too.
Aside from working with the global brand, Jaylin brings her art to the community via murals and art classes for kids. Originally recognized for her portraits of victims of violence, her other achievements now include being the inaugural recipient of the Artist Catalyst Program where she worked with the Mural Arts Philadelphia + creating the “This is Home” mural in the California neighborhood where she was born and raised.
