LEXINGTON, Ky. — Visual art students from Fayette County Public Schools participated in a masterclass with professional equine artist Jaime Corum on June 17 at Mill Ridge Farm, according to a post from the district's website. The two-hour session featured instruction in basic techniques, horse anatomy, and live sketching and drawing.

The initiative aims to develop a new generation of equine artists while establishing an Equine Arts Scholarship Fund. Students will complete the project during Keeneland's Fall Meet, with additional sketching sessions and guidance from professional equine artists. Participants will create 16-by-20-inch pieces through one-on-one workshops before the project culminates at the Sporting Art Auction on Nov. 13 at Keeneland.

Corum, a Kentucky native with a master's degree in fine art from the University of Kentucky, specializes in thoroughbred paintings and equine portraiture. Her work has been featured at the Keeneland Sporting Art Auction since 2018 and is collected internationally.

The project was organized by FCPS staffers Rachel Losch and Michael Holdren along with Thoroughbred Daily News cartoonist Remi Bellocq. "Whether it comes in the form of funny cartoons or stunning oil paintings on canvas, it is imperative that we inspire and support our future equine artists," Bellocq said in a statement. "Our sport needs it, and I hope this is only the first step."

Mill Ridge Farm, a historic thoroughbred breeding operation in Lexington, hosted the masterclass. The farm, founded in 1962, has produced or sold 43 Grade 1 winners since 2000 and is led by Headley Bell and his son Price Bell. "Our thanks to Alice and Price Bell at Mill Ridge for allowing us access to their beautiful Mill Ridge Farm. But a special thanks to Option, Mill Ridge's teaser stallion, for being such a wonderful and patient model," Bellocq added.