Roslyn Harbor, N.Y. - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi unveiled today the culmination of a public arts program to raise money for the preservation of open land in Nassau County. The program, Horses of a Different Color, features a stable of life-size artificial horses, each decorated in original artwork, and sponsored by a private business or individual. The horses will be on display at the Nassau County Museum of Fine Arts in Roslyn until April 24th, when they will be assigned to their posts for the remainder of the year in various locations throughout Nassau County.

"This is truly a great program that I'm happy to see has made its way to our residents. Our new 'multitasking mares' will not only raise money to protect open spaces and bring some color and spunk to our County's downtown areas, but they will also work to remind all Nassau residents and tourists to visit our world-class race track and home to the last leg of the triple crown, Belmont Park," said County Executive Suozzi.

Each horse was brought to life by the hand of a local artist, and sponsored for $4,000 per horse, by a Long Island business or resident. Current sponsors include: OTB-Nassau Downs, the Roslyn School of Painting, Dover Gourmet Corp., the New York Racing Association, Southwest Airlines, the New York Islanders, DSA Community Publishing and Newsday. Each sponsor commissioned to have their horse painted with the design of their choosing. Some of the horses not sponsored by a local organization were painted by local school children through a related Penny for Pony project.

Like the display of painted cows in New York City reminiscent of the city's rural roots, the Horses of a Different Color program is designed to unite all Nassau County residents around their centuries-old local theme of equestrian life. The Nassau County Department of Sports, Entertainment and Tourism (SET) has stewarded the project's development and implementation. For more information on Horses of a Different Color please contact Nassau County SET at 571-3922.