Lou On Lumber is an annual juried exhibit showcased at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory that aims to celebrate Louisville's rich culture through the eyes of local artists. We are looking for five Kentuckiana artists to cover the barrels of five Louisville Slugger bats with imagery that follows the theme of ‘hometown pride.’.

Louisville is one of the oldest cities west of the Appalachian Mountains with a rich history to spark inspiration. Not only has the city birthed sports icons like Louisville Slugger bats, Muhammad Ali, and the Derby, but also film and music stars like Jennifer Lawrence and the Grammy Award-winning Louisville Orchestra. The city maintains a distinct indie scene at the heart of Bardstown Road in the Highlands and a strong college sports fanbase for the University of Louisville. Perhaps inspiration lies in the architectural treasures of the city, such as the Old Louisville neighborhood’s Victorian-style homes or the Louisville Water Tower, the oldest water tower in the U.S.

We encourage you to use imagery of all local landmarks, events, and icons that invoke the feeling of ‘hometown pride’ for you in your submission. Don’t feel limited to only using one medium or sticking with a 2D design, we want this submission to reflect your personal style and creative peak! Artists will be selected from the application pool by the museum’s curatorial team and a jury made up of curators and artists from the community (jurors to be announced). The five finalists will then have approximately eight weeks from the date they receive their bats to complete their proposed designs before May 20 - the installation date.

Hillerich & Bradsby Co. - makers of Louisville Slugger - will provide the selected artists with $200, which they will receive along with their bats at the beginning of the work period. Each selected artist will receive two bats, although only one will be for display. Bat handles will be painted black. Bats will be displayed together horizontally.

The five finished bats will be on display at Louisville Slugger Museum through August 10, 2026 – a period in which about 100,000 guests will have a chance to see the artists’ work!

Below is a timeline of events and what you will need to submit if you wish to apply. We wish you luck and cannot wait to see your designs!

Timeline

January 5 - March 1: Application period

March 9: Jury selection meeting

March 10: All applicants will be contacted regarding their selection.

March 10-13: Chosen artists will be able to pick up their bats and $200 prize from the museum to get to work.

March 10 - May 8: Artists' work period

May 11-15: Museum will reach out to artists to check in on design progress at the midway point.

May 14-17: Bat drop off period. All artists must submit their bats to the museum in install-ready condition. This means any paint or added materials should be dry and fully attached. Bats that do not meet these criteria will not be displayed.

May 20 - August 10: “Lou on Lumber” exhibit will be on display.

August 11-14: Bat pick up period.

Application Requirements

All applicants must be residents of the Kentuckiana area and provide their full name, home address, email, and be 18 and up or have parental permission (consent form required). Applicants must submit:

• Artist bio (200 word limit)
• At least five images of previous work that you feel are your strongest.
• Submission sketch detailing the design you wish to put on your bat. Any reference photos that you feel are relevant and important should also be submitted and labeled as such. Keep in mind that the handle of your bat will be painted black, but you are welcome to extend your design into that area. The entire blank “canvas” will be about 34 inches long by 2 ¾ inches circumference.
• 1-2 paragraphs accompanying your submission sketch detailing your inspiration(s), design concept, and proposed medium(s).

Submissions

Please fill out the form below to submit your application. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on March 1, 2026. For questions about the exhibit or application process, you can contact kc.colorado@sluggermuseum.com.