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Paducah...a year round celebration of creativity
In February 2011, Paducah was selected as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations and was chosen as the FAN FAVORITE by the public through an online voting process. The program recognizes cities and towns that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns with cultural diversity, attractive architecture and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization.
Paducah’s authentic visitor experience revolves around “creative experiences.” Home to the National Quilt Museum and an award-winning artist relocation program, the LowerTown Arts District, this innovative creative city has packaged its artistic offerings Into a series of workshops and classes for its visitors to enjoy.
The National Quilt Museum of the United States, located on Paducah’s historic riverfront in the heart of downtown, showcases one of the most impressive collections of contemporary, miniature and traditional quilts in the world. The Museum is open year-round and offers classes and workshops taught by quilting’s most celebrated instructors for fiber artists of all levels.
A short trolley ride away is Paducah’s oldest neighborhood and the center of its cultural rebirth, the LowerTown Arts District. Nationally recognized for its unprecedented success in utilizing the arts to revitalize community development. Lower Town’s studios and galleries feature fine art housed in a variety of settings, such as elegant Queen Anne style homes, restored 1930s grocery stores, and historic Italianate mansions.
In LowerTown, you’ll discover:
• Potters
• Jewelry makers
• Painters
• Printmakers
• Leather crafters
• Bookbinders and more
Relocated artist Caryl Bryer Fallert, one of the most influential quilters in the world, offers quilting and fiber art workshops at her Bryerpatch Studio in the LowerTown Arts District. Also in LowerTown, Charlotte Erwin at Working Artists Studios offers a hands-on opportunity for marbling on paper and fabric and Michael Terra of Terra Cottage presents a fun and engaging ceramics experience. Through personal engagement, Paducah artists are changing their roles from sellers of objects to teachers of their artistic skills.
Paducah’s historic riverfront provides the backdrop for entertainment, discovery and celebration of the beautiful river region. The Carson Center for the performing arts is now in its seventh season and hosts touring Broadway, theatre and dance productions, and a musical series with big-name entertainers year round. The staging & acoustics of the 1,800-seat Main Hall provide a spectacular venue for artists and audiences alike.
With a new name and fresh set of exhibits, the River Discovery Center, formerly the River Heritage Museum, has become the perfect destination for an entertaining, hands-on history lesson on the legends and lore of the Four Rivers Region. Pilot a towboat, pleasure watercraft, or Coast Guard buoy tender in various scenarios or view river traffic in front of the museum with the “24-Hours on the River” exhibit. This Save America’s Treasures project is housed in Downtown’s oldest standing structure.
Savor local cuisine, diverse performing arts and urban boutiques housed within 19th century buildings in the historic downtown. With a thriving arts district, wide variety of cultural pursuits, rich history, urban cuisine and eclectic accommodations, Paducah offers visitors an incredible array of experiences.
We invite you to come to Paducah for a personal guided tour so you can tell your readers why Paducah is distinctively creative.
For more information on Paducah or to arrange your tour, call Rosemarie Steele, Marketing Director, at
1.800.PADUCAH or e-mail her rosemarie@paducah.travel.
