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June 2009 Yeiser Art Center Laid Foundation for Paducah's Art Scene |
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In 1928, an adventurous 23 year-old woman, Yeiser, began her world travels and her journey as an artist and art lover. Yeiser spent several years studying art in Paris and touring art centers throughout Italy. She attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Art and the University of Kentucky, eventually earning a degree from Murray State University. Forced by the economic disaster of the Depression, Yeiser made her way home to Paducah to be with family and to invest in a career as an art teacher.
Yeiser, a Paducah native, had a passion for making art accessible to her students. Through her own experiences in the European art scene, Yeiser came to realize that art could be created and showcased even in a small river town like Paducah. So in 1958, she gathered works from local art friends and put on a weekend exhibit at the Paducah Junior College, offering students one of the first opportunities to view original, fine art in Paducah. The show was a success and brought definition to the newly formed Paducah Art Guild.
The Paducah Art Guild evolved into a fine art museum which is now located at the historic Market House Square in Paducah's downtown. The group's mission was to encourage artists and to help them expand their creative skills. They sought to provide the public with the opportunity to view art regularly. The organization was later renamed the Yeiser Art Center (YAC), as a tribute to Mary Yeiser's contributions, and has grown to showcase original work from artists across the country. Yeiser's vision for making arts accessible to the public in Paducah, fifty two years ago, has been realized, and in some ways the organization has far surpassed any expectations that the twenty charter members ever dreamed of. There is now a permanent collection housed at the museum and art classes and workshops are also available to anyone in the community.  This year marks the 34th year for the Paducah Photo Competition. The photo competition finds its roots in Paducah's Summer Festival. This year's entries will be accepted online at YAC's newly upgraded website www.paducahphoto.com. The deadline for online entries will be at midnight on June 17. Entries can also be shipped to 200 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001 or delivered in person to YAC from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. These entries must be matted, but it is not necessary for them to be framed. Cash awards will be awarded by juror, Anthony Martinez, up to $1,400. The YAC, under the direction of Teri Moore, has evolved into an art education center for the community. There are community outreach programs available which reach adults and children alike, including the River Town Reading Series and Summer Art Camps for children in the community. For more information on these and other offerings at YAC visit their website at www.theyeiser.org. |
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