Folks choose to come and visit the Bluegrass for a handful of reasons — to sample our bourbon, cheer on the Cats, or maybe attend college.

Most head back home after a visit, but some — after experiencing our unique culture + hospitality — choose to plant roots.

That's exactly what happened to local artist Kiptoo Tarus ~10 years ago when he first made the trek to Kentucky, all the way from Kenya.

Kenya

"I was a banker in Nairobi," recalls Kiptoo. "I worked for a bank doing marketing while also attending art school."

While in school, Kiptoo met a professor from UK who specialized in sculpting. He was traveling to Kenya for vacation + was introduced to Kiptoo by his professors. "He spent two days in the studio with me, talking and critiquing my work. And then he mentioned graduate school."

Kiptoo did what any reasonable artist would do. He quit his job + applied to an art school that was ~8,000 miles away and began perfecting his art in Kentucky.

Kentucky

In 2015, he got his first commissioned work from the city — six different pieces that were placed around town for the 2015 Breeders' Cup.

Kiptoo setting up his first public art installment for the 2015 Breeders' Cup. | Kiptoo Tarus

"I mainly sculpted the human figure, and those pieces were a series of hands," said Kiptoo. But after the Breeders' Cup, he thought to himself, "what if I actually do equine art?"

Since then, Kiptoo's work has been showcased across town — the Henry Clay Estate, Woodland Park, The Met, Horse Mania, and, most recently, Old Friend's Farm.

Kiptoo's most recent work is a sculpture of Medina Spirit at Old Friend's Farm. | Photo by LEXtoday

"Lexington is a receptive city that really appreciates art," said Kiptoo. "This place has accepted me for who I am. It's my second home."

It's been said that home is where the heart is, but for Kiptoo, home is also where the art is.