Paducah-born and Southern Illinois-reared Penelope Overton is just plain fun. Her infectious enthusiasm and ready laughter are well-known among her friends and colleagues. And her famous Green Olive Tapande absolutely rocks a Yeiser Art Center reception. It’s not surprising that Overton works as an engineer with Jackson Purchase Energy. She radiates her own special energy and warmth wherever she goes.Penelope Overton, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! I love that you’re a rockin’ woman engineer. What do you do for Jackson Purchase Energy?
I’m in systems planning. I help make sure we have enough facilities available to supply power to our growing area. Women engineers aren’t so rare any more. I’m thrilled to see so many of us in this profession.
Do you love working for Jackson Purchase Energy?
It’s a great company. I’m doing what I love to do, and I’m especially proud that our company supports numerous events and contributes financially to non-profits. Employees are always encouraged to volunteer. That’s how I got involved with the Yeiser Art Center. I joined the board about two years ago.
How did the Yeiser attract your attention?
I wanted to get involved in something that had nothing to do with math or science — something completely different from my day job. So I asked our marketing director, Patrick Kerr, to help me find a good place to volunteer.
Jackson Purchase Energy sponsors the Yeiser’s Teen Spirit show, so we already had a nice relationship there. And the Yeiser board had an open seat. I’ve learned so much about the community and the arts community.
Had you served on a board before?
No. This is really my very first foray into community involvement. I didn’t really know what a board was responsible for. So I’ve learned that the board sets the direction for the organization, hires the staff, helps to increase membership and helps with the fundraising. I think of myself as one of the worker bees. Whatever needs to be done, I can help do it.
How much time do you spend volunteering for the Yeiser?
We have one board meeting a month, and we host about four receptions a year. So it’s a manageable amount of time.
And Jackson Purchase Energy is a big supporter of that?
Our CEO, Kelly Nuckols, is very supportive of community involvement. He sees it — and we all see it — as part of being a responsible member of the corporate environment here in Paducah.
And you just graduated from Leadership Paducah.Yes, that was a great experience because of the amount of information I learned about our community. I got to meet 30 new people and formed some lasting relationships.
Tell us about your Leadership Paducah nickname, Zarafa.
Giraffes are my favorite animal, and Zarafa is the name of a special giraffe. You can read her story in the book by the same name by Michael Allin.
The Yeiser, which just turned 50 years old, has had some awesome shows recently.
I know! It’s been so great. We had the National Geographic Greatest Portraits show earlier this year, which was organized by the Smithsonian. And we’ve featured the work of Jerry Watson, a Paducah native and one of the Yeiser’s founders. We also recently featured Derrick Riley, a young Paducah native who is currently teaching drawing and printmaking at UK.
We’re now showing Najjar Abdul-Musawwir’s What Lies Beneath: The Breast Cancer Series. He’s an award-winning painter and community-arts organizer. He teaches at SIU. That’s on display until November 10.
Our next show will be Paducah: Front & Back by William Renzulli, a LowerTown artist. We’ll have a reception for him on November 17, 5-7 p.m.
We really are trying to step up to the next level at Yeiser. We want to bring in more nationally recognized shows and artists, in addition to supporting our local artists.
Yeiser receptions are the best!
What I love about the receptions is that you get to meet the artists and really spend time talking with them. You don’t always get to do that in bigger cities. And we always serve really good hors d’oeuvres.
That Green Olive Tapanade you brought to the Yeiser’s Permanent Collection showing last year was the bomb.
It’s so easy to make!
I couldn’t stop eating it.I’ll give you the recipe:
1 ¼ cups pitted manzanilla olives or other green Spanish olives, rinsed, drained well
1 tablespoon drained capers
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil (preferable extra-virgin)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Toasted baguette slices
Feta cheese
Balsamic vinegar
Combine olives, capers and garlic in a food processor (or blender) and chop finely. With the motor running, gradually add lemon juice and oil and process until blended. Transfer tapanade to bowl. Stir in cilantro. Season to taste with pepper. Make this one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Serve tapanade with toasted baguette slices and feta cheese drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
It would taste better if you just made it and brought it over every now and then.
Hah! Well, if you keep coming to Yeiser receptions, I’ll keep making it.
Deal! Education is a big part of the Yeiser’s mission, yes?
Definitely. We invite school groups to tour the gallery. And we’ve created a DVD for elementary and middle school teachers to use with their students. The DVD highlights why art is an important part of any education, what special things to look for when viewing art and what a visit to a gallery entails.
And we take an annual trip to Chicago, which includes a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art as well as Phantom of the Opera. This year it’s November 14-16. As a single person, have you found that your involvement is good for your social life?
Absolutely. We encourage people to become members and to volunteer on committees. If you’re looking to expand your social horizons, the Yeiser is a great way to do that.
What’s been your favorite show so far?
Teen Spirit. Each year, we send out announcements to schools saying that we’re looking for art. The schools are great about participating. In fact, many make the show part of their curriculum. The show is scheduled for each February. I’ve bought several pieces from the students over the years. And I have their bios so that when they’re rich and famous I can say I knew them when!
Well, Penelope Overton, we’re thrilled to know you now! You certainly light up Paducah — and the Yeiser!
Yeiser Art Center
200 Broadway
theyeiser.org
442.2453
