Jessica Byassee took Paducah by storm when she returned to Western Kentucky in 2003. Originally from Hickman County, Byassee grew up on a horse farm, competing nationally in barrel racing and pole bending. Today, she directs that same unbridled spirit and energy toward promoting the Quilt Museum and actively participating in several networking groups.
Jessica Byassee, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! And you bring such a hip approach to promoting the Quilt Museum! Not everyone can make a quilt look cool!
Thanks, I try!
Tell us your secrets to success!
There’s always something going on at the museum, so I constantly have great exhibits and workshops to promote. I do a lot of media outreach, and I’m out representing the museum every chance I get.
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| Caryl Bryer Fallert’s quilts, like New Dawn, are famous around the world! |
I also manage the live auction during Quilt Week. Some of those quilts will go from $500 to several thousands of dollars. These are definitely not your typical “grandmother’s quilts.”
Folks visit the museum from all over the country?
Yes. In fact, if you look at our guest register for just a month or two, you’ll see visitors from every state and about 10-15 international countries. We’re open every day and on Saturday all year round – not just during Quilt Week.
And it’s not just older women who come in, right?
No, not at all. We have college-aged visitors, and we get plenty of male visitors. We had an exhibit last year of male quilters. It was really cool – their quilts were very geometrical with deep colors.
Have you taken it up?
I just started knitting. I made a few scarves and potholders as Christmas gifts!
Jessica, you are everywhere! Tell us about the Newcomers’ Group.
This is one of the great hidden jewels of Paducah. Women who are new to the area or who have experienced a lifestyle change are invited to join. It’s a great way to meet people of all ages, different interests and different careers. It helps you find your niche. We meet the second Tuesday of the month, usually at different businesses that provide a speaker as the program.
We list those on ilistpaducah.com!
Yes, and we also have subgroups like a book club, Ladies Night Out, a playgroup for kids – that sort of thing. We have about 40 members.
But now you’re not a newcomer – you’re from Hickman County originally, right?
Yes, but after graduating from Murray State, I worked in Texas for a while, and then it took me a little time to find my place when I moved back in 2003. I did a crazy array of things. I was a substitute teacher, I did 9-1-1 dispatch from the county jail – that wasn’t my favorite thing at all. The Newcomers’ Group can really be helpful when you’re trying to find your way.
Wait a minute. You were a 9-1-1 operator?
Just for two months. It was mostly calming people down. One time someone thought someone was outside their house. Another time someone had a pig loose. But then the Quilt Museum job opened, and I got that. I’m much happier now!
And you’ve started a cool thing with the Twenty Thirty Group.A few months ago, we started holding Discussion on Current Events – DOC, for short. It’s a combination of an idea I had and one that Chuck Tate had. I wanted to do something for professional development where we could hear from experts on things we didn’t necessarily learn in college – like finance and networking. Chuck wanted to host an open town hall-type debate.
So now we alternate between the two. In February, for example, we’ll have Matt Ryan of Bristol Broadcasting facilitate an open debate, and in March, we’ll have Elaine Spalding of the Chamber talk about networking with confidence.
And those are also on ilistpaducah.com, as well.
Yes, we meet at 7 p.m., the third Tuesday of the month in the Library’s upstairs meeting room. So far, the meetings have been a big hit!
Well, Jessica Byassee, you’ve been a big hit! I hear congratulations are in order! The Paducah Hospitality Association – another one of your great groups – just honored you with the Bobbi Holman award!
I was so surprised and excited to receive this award! The Hospitality Association is full of wonderful people in local tourism – hotels, restaurants and attractions. Unfortunately, I never got to meet Bobbi, but I know that she was a driving force in Paducah tourism. To be associated with her is flattering.
Plus, you’re active in PR-1.
That meets the fourth Monday of the month for lunch at The Pasta House. It’s a very informal way for people in PR, marketing and advertising to connect and share ideas.
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| Jessica and Marbles |
Getting on the BOA is really great for me. I really want to do something that can make a difference. This will be a wonderful way to test the water of public service. Who knows where it could lead?
So what do you do when you’re not in work mode?
I grew up on a big horse farm, so I like to go home and ride as often as I can. I grew up barrel racing and pole bending, and competed in all sorts of horse shows and rodeos. I even made it to the national finals when I was in high school!
How fun! Do you still compete?
Not any more. But I still love to ride. It’s how I de-stress. I like to trail ride through the woods and fields. It’s been such a big part of my life since a young age.
So what’s up with your love life?I’m a combination of a city girl and a country girl. I enjoy the farm and then I like to get cleaned up and enjoy the Carson Center. It’s hard to find a guy comfortable with both.
But I enjoy hanging out at Pizza by the Pound and all the downtown places. I also like to hang out with friends and play games. I started a poker night for my friends – it’s called the Jessica Ann Byassee Poker Invitational – JABPI (pronounced: jab-pie). Usually there’s more eating and gossiping than poker!
Well Jessica Byassee, you are just the cutest thing ever! I’d place my bet that with all your fab community outreach and political aspirations, we’ll be seeing even more of you out and about!
