Jim Clark Rolls With the Foals

Photo by Brad Luttrell

Magnify

At the heart of Central Kentucky’s arts scene, Jim—LexArts’ CEO/president—is the man in the saddle. A former Los Angeles gallery owner and New York public-art-fund guru, Jim fell in love with the Bluegrass when he landed here in 2002 to head LexArts— the non-profit that promotes community culture, presents Gallery Hop nights and raises millions in support of local arts groups. “This was a town with a lot of artists of all disciplines, and that intrigued me. The job continues to grow and evolve, and the arts scene has become really active.” This month the hoopla centers on Horse Mania 2010 (LexArts’ revival of the popular art project from 2000), which just hit Lexington’s streets with 79 locally decorated full-size horses, four Sister Cities horses and 57 designs by schoolchildren (including 50 foals). Outside work, Jim enjoys traveling, collecting textiles (he’s wearing a “kamben,” a formal wrap from Bali) and gardening.

His favorite thing about reading skirt? “Seeing all the people in it that are either supporters or participants in the arts. It shows the reach of the arts community.”

And wearing a skirt? “It’s the freedom.”