LEXINGTON, Ky. — Events at the American Saddlebred Museum have returned back to a relative normal after more than a year of COVID-19 concerns. 

The museum hosted one of its most signature events on Saturday afternoon: an art auction featuring collections from George Ford Morris. Saturday was the first time in event history the art auction was combined with pop-up shops featuring jewelry, clothing and homeware items.

Jennifer Foster, executive director of the American Saddlebred Museum, said the auction served as a great fundraiser for the museum and the community.

The American Saddlebred Museum hosts the art auction twice a year, selling unique works of art including collections from a myriad of famed saddlebred horse artists including George Ford Morris, Carlos Arriola, Peter Barrett, Douwe Blumberg, Edwin Bogucki, John Charleston and Anne Crawford.

The auction raised money that'll allow the museum to continue to present historical exhibits and programs to the public. However, this year's event was different from previous years in one significant way. 

“In this particular instance we do not normally try to juggle pop up shops and an art auction in the same day, that was pretty aggressive for us," Foster said. "We had a little bit of everything for everyone.” 

In the American Saddlebred history, this is the first time the art auction took place on the same day as a pop-up shop event. The event served as an outlet for small business vendors to sell their homemade jewelry, clothing and homeware items.

This was also the first time the American Saddlebred Museum chose to invite a pop-up shop vendor from out-of-state. 

“It gives me the opportunity to come out from northwest Arkansas to help out and contribute with the American Saddlebred Museum," said David Adams, a goldsmith and platinumsmith.

After traveling the long trip to Kentucky, Adams said he's thankful for opportunities like this where he can showcase and sell his handmade stones.

“I specialize in hand fabricated, anything in 18k platinum, any kind of precious gemstone, diamonds in particular," he said. "So really all over the board.”

Adams' dedication of helping the museum by selling his jewelry, combined with events like these, make putting on both events worthwhile for those in charge.

“Having gone through COVID, it makes me teary eyed," Foster said. "Having gone through COVID with no fundraisers at all to having the doors open and full of smiles is amazing.”

A portion of Saturday's art auction and pop-up vendor shop proceeds will go to the museum to continue its effort to be the largest saddlebred artifact museum in the world.