Seaside artist Lynn Bean is shown here working on "Bunkhouse Bronco," a pony painted to look like barn wood with iconic Western symbols hanging on the "walls" of the bunkhouse. Submitted photo

SEASIDE – Lynn Bean, co-owner of the Gilbert District Galley, has been chosen as one of the top 10 finalists in the national art competition, “America the Beautiful,” sponsored by The Trail of Painted Ponies, an organization that invited artists to imaginatively transform 2-foot-tall marble-cast horse sculptures into unique works of fine art. Bean was chosen from among hundreds of submissions from across the country.

A panel of judges, including the executive director of the Booth Western Art Museum and the International Museum of the Horse, narrowed the field down to 10 finalist designs.

Bean’s design, “Bunkhouse Bronco,” features a pony painted to look like barn wood adorned with such classic hanging elements as a longhorn skull, a pair of chaps, an old wagon wheel and a coiled lariat. It was selected because “her design was a combination of originality and authenticity,” said Rod Barker, the president of The Trail of Painted Ponies. There was no question in the minds of the judges when they reviewed her submission that they were looking at something that uniquely captured the spirit of the American West.

All 10 of the finalist original ponies were on display at the Lexington Kentucky Horse Park in July. The top four ponies will be marketed as figurines.

Bean’s prototype of “Bunkhouse” will be available to view from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 3, during Seaside’s First Saturday Art Walk, along with her other figurines, “Copper Enchantment” and “Gingerbread Pony.” Other gallery artists will be featured as well. Refreshments will be served. Gilbert District Gallery is located at 613 Broadway.