WHY PADUCAH…TEN YEARS LATER

803 Madison St....our "dream" home

In 2001 I wrote in my journal…Why Paducah?

“One of my enduring fantasies over many years has been to have my own gallery as a part of my studio...open to the public and selling my art. I envisioned myself in a neighborhood/ community, where I could leave the house and walk “into town”, exchanging greetings with neighbors and other merchants. This has been my dream, and I believe Paducah offers me the opportunity to make it happen. Of course there are no guarantees, but there never are in life, only windows of opportunity, and it is up to us to be willing to act on them….

Within the past year the city opened a new art cinema, and more recently broke ground for a 34 million dollar performing arts center. All of these attractions, plus the Market St. Theatre, are located within 4 or 5 blocks of one another, along with several delightful restaurants, antique shops, and an elegantly restored B&B.

Patience and I will join a growing number of other artists in reviving an old Victorian neighborhood with our homes, studios, and galleries...as part of the city’s “artist relocation program”. Eventually there will be trolley service to the various studios and galleries.”

Lofty dreams and high hopes for both the city and myself. How did we fare? Ten years later I would offer that we did pretty well. Within a year about a dozen artists from all over the country responded to the city’s call and the excitement and anticipation in Lowertown were palpable. It quickly became a desirable place to live. More artists arrived, but the most telling sign of the neighborhood’s rebirth was the return of out of town and local non-artist citizens, a trend that continues today. Paducah, heralding itself as a creative art community, achieved national acclaim for its Artist Relocation Program, one that has become the prototype for communities around the country.

Lowertown was transformed…old homes were restored, new homes were built, new sidewalks and period lamp posts appeared, as well as galleries, shops, and restaurants; the people of Paducah made all of us feel welcomed and appreciated.

The performing arts center was completed, Maiden Alley Cinema introduced an annual film festival, the Paducah School of Art was born, and new restaurants opened downtown. Life in Paducah was good. A bustling arts district replaced the blight and decay of the neighborhood and Paducah was introduced to the phenomenon of opening receptions and gallery walks as the galleries welcomed visitors from regional cities (Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis, and Memphis). It wasn’t easy…selling fine art never is…but most of the galleries and studios survived, even if they didn’t thrive. Of course that level of energy and excitement could not sustain itself, and the growth slowed considerably as fewer available properties were available, and the neighborhood gradually assumed an air of maturity and stability.

As would be expected some of the transplanted artists realized Paducah was not meeting their needs, and they moved on, to be replaced by new faces with new hopes and new missions. Sadly, some left because of significant health issues. But the most crippling blow to the art community was the great economic recession. With fewer visitors and sales some of galleries were forced to close, joining hundreds of galleries throughout the country. Today there are still over a dozen galleries, shops, and studios that are open on the monthly gallery walk, and about half that number that are open with regular hours during the week. New artists continue to arrive in Lowertown, though not in the same numbers. The impact of the economic difficulties on our art community has been significant.
Fortunately there is more to Lowertown than the commerce of art.

If there is one word that captures the essence of Lowertown and explains the amazing success of the Artist Relocation Program it is community. Lowertown has become, and remains, an incredibly creative community, a place where artists can live and work together, inspiring and nurturing one another. This is, in my humble opinion, the result of the union of two forces: the influx of dozens of artists with different backgrounds and interests, and a city with a creative spirit, receptive and responsive to the promises of art. Although Lowertown is a physically prescribed area, this powerful sense of community and creative spirit have gradually erased artificial boundaries, creating one very exciting small river city, a city that has enriched my life and enabled my dreams.

That is “Why Paducah”.


803 Madison St....one year later

7 AT 5

In two weeks I will be hosting a reception at Gallery 5 celebrating seven years in Paducah. The theme of the show will be the evolution of my art during those seven years. I am frequently asked why I came to Paducah and if I have any regrets with the decision to move here.

I moved to Paducah to be part of the city's Artist Relocation Program which held for me the hope of a wonderful place to live and work. Regarding a place to live, I cannot imagine a warmer, friendlier neighborhood than Lowertown, and the community of Paducah and its citizens. I have not, for one moment, been disappointed in this move.

Living and working in a community of artists has been more than I imagined it would be. The sharing, nurturing, and encouragement of colleagues has played a critical role in my development as an artist. I do not think my work would be what it is today if I had remained living in relative isolation on our Maryland farm. The artwork being produced in our community is as varied as the personalities and aspirations of the artists themselves. The lessons I have learned are not so much about materials and technique but about attitudes and commitment to art, and the respect for excellence in all of our endeavors. It doesn’t matter if the art is abstract, conceptual, or representational; what matters is the artist’s commitment to the work.

My personal goal has always been to create the best art that I am capable of creating. In Paducah I have learned that this is a goal that will always be just out of reach, for there is always room for growth.

If you are in the neighborhood on Friday, the 13th of November between 5 and 8 PM, join the celebration at Gallery 5 at 803 Madison St.

THE STREETS OF PADUCAH

the Texaco Station...now a Lowertown Arts District information center

I came up with these words over several days of walking dogs shortly after moving to Paducah. They are to be sung to the tune of “the Streets of Laredo”.

As I walked out in the streets of Paducah,
As I walked out in Paducah one day.
I spied an old artist all beaten and battered,
All beaten and battered and covered with clay.

I asked the man gently what had he befallen,
What had he befallen so covered with clay.
He turned to me slowly and softly he whispered,
I f____ed with the muses, and this is my pay.

Laden with sorrow at this artist’s sad story,
I asked the poor soul just what I could do.
He quickly replied with a smile and suggested,
buy one of my paintings, better yet, make it two.

He told me the story of his move to Paducah,
Uprooting his family, his home, and his wife,
In search of his dreams and affordable living,
All in the quest of the real artist life.

The folks he encountered were charming and friendly,
Especially the builders who quickly said sure.
We can rehab that sorry old place you’ve just purchased,
But hastened to add it will cost a bit more.

With others who followed they banded together,
Praising Mark, praising Tom, for all they would do.
Until the inspector said sorry to tell you,
One bathroom won’t make, you really need two.

The artists, their partners, their dogs, did not falter,
Together they worked, undeterred, so it seems.
For artists are special, determined, devoted,
In their unyielding quest to capture their dreams.

So when you walk out in the streets of Paducah,
Make you way into Lowertown, for there you will find,
A bevy of artists all working together,
Making music and art for your soul and your mind.

When I walk out in the streets of Paducah,
When I walk out in Paducah each day,
With my dogs on their leashes I whistle and wander,
And smile as I greet all my friends on the way.


the delightful home, studio, and gallery of Working Artists. (Ike and Charlotte)

THE CANVAS ROOM

My studio and gallery are 3 houses to the left.

Until yesterday, the only place to buy art supplies in Paducah has been Michaels, hobby Lobby, and the various online catalog stores. Jonathan and Cindy Hobson have changed that with the opening of the Canvas Room, a art supply store located in their home just 3 houses away from me here in Lowertown. Jonathan, also an artist, has taken the time to carefully inquire of each Lowertown artist what his or her needs are in an effort to serve our community as well succeed in a tough retail environment.

Whether the Canvas Room can meet the discount prices of the major art supply catalogs is a moot point. Being able to walk a half a block away for my canvases, paints, or whatever trumps any price differences. This is Lowertown at its best. Did I mention that just one block away is an artist-picture framer?

PADUCAH'S ARTIST RELOCATION PROGRAM

A bit of Paducah WC aprox. 12x30

Seven years ago this month Patience and I visited Paducah for the first time. I saw the small ad in Art Calendar that read, “Artist Relocation Program”, Paducah Kentucky. It was eight years after opening our new medical practice on our farm and I was growing increasingly anxious to return to my art, looking forward to be able to give it all of my time and energy.
As a result, I was quite susceptible to anything that might promise me that opportunity.

We decided to visit in January, thinking we should see the town in mid winter when everything looks bleak and forlorn, putting it to a rather severe test. It is a long 14-15 hour drive from our farm in Maryland to Paducah, and we arrived outside the town just after dark. We were both somewhat anxious as we approached the city from the south side loop, and became very quiet, keeping our skepticism to ourselves as we drove by the cement plant and the large fuel tanks on rt. 60 just outside of town. I thought to myself, “what in the hell are we doing here”, and was certain that P was thinking the same thing. Our anxiety was heightened by a bit of confusion caused by my navigating; I thought we were entering from the west side (Park Ave.), and drove through town twice before figuring this out. We had reservations at the Harbor Plaza B&B, and by the time we turned onto Broadway we were both pretty “wired”.

We were greeted by a quiet downtown street, illuminated by festive Christmas lights and lined with well manicured turn of the century buildings, everything my urban loving heart desired after 17 years of farm life. I loved it! We located the B&B and met Beverly, our delightful hostess, who led us to our room, a warm and wondrous highly Victorian cocoon that eliminated the last remnants of our anxieties. Next on our agenda was dinner, and for this we walked to the end of the block to Jeremiah’s, where we enjoyed our first meal in Paducah.

We had plans to meet Mark Barone in the morning who would show us the city and tell us about the relocation program. But P is convinced that as soon as I turned onto Broadway she knew we would be coming to Paducah.

next post...Lowertown and more



Jerimiah's...(restaurant on the right) WC 22x30