A Lot Is Happening at YAC!

by Will Brandon, Operations Manager - Yeiser Art Center

For the past 66 years, Yeiser Art Center (YAC) has been a strong voice for the visual arts in our community. YAC promotes the visual arts by presenting dynamic exhibitions and programs throughout the year. The exhibitions are chosen to showcase a diverse range of art forms, styles, and techniques. You will find work ranging from traditional to contemporary on display.

As well as proving a wonderful space for residents to view many forms of art, YAC provides a forum for artists and serves as an educational resource for schools, colleges, and community organizations. YAC provides art experiences for children while advocating the importance of a good visual arts education in our local schools.

“One of our biggest goals in 2023 is to bring more community involvement into our space, and to really celebrate our UNESCO designation,” said Lexie Millikan, Executive Director. “Being a UNESCO Creative City attracts people to Paducah from all over the globe. YAC is proud to share local and regional art, as well as art from around the world.”

Membership has its benefits!

Yeiser Art Center will open its door this February to another amazing year of art. Become a member and receive discounts on tickets, classes, and both the Southeast and North American Museum Reciprocal Program. Find out more at theyeiser.org or call 270.442.2453. YAC is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am – 5pm

Members Exhibition

February 3 – March 25

YAC’s first exhibition of every year, showcases work from members of the gallery in a variety of mediums featuring artists locally, regionally, and all over the country. Open to anyone with a current YAC membership.

Fantastic Fibers

April 8 – June 24

One of Yeiser Art Center’s most engaging, innovative, and colorful international exhibits, Fantastic Fibers is an internationally juried show that seeks to showcase a wide range of works related to the fiber medium. Applications can be found on CallForEntry.org

Lower Town Arts & Music Festival

May 12 & 13

LTAMF is a celebration of all things art, community, and music set in the streets of the historic Lower Town Arts District. The festival offers art vendors, live music, family activities, and more! Come off the craft beer and local wine and leave with a fantastic piece of art.

DRAW-A-THON

June 27, 28, 29

Returning in 2022, the walls of the gallery will be covered in drawing paper as the community is invited to come and create their collaborative masterpieces. This is a wonderful community event that attracts people from across the region – all ages are welcome!

Art Through The Lens

July 15 – September 2

Originating in 1975 as the Paducah Summer Festival Photo Competition, ATTL has grown from a fledgling contest into an international juried exhibition. Over the past 40-plus years, this exhibition has become one of the Mid-South’s most prestigious annual photographic events. Applications will be found on CallForEntry.org in the Spring.

New This Year!

Creative Cities Celebration

September 16 – November 11

A new event still in the works, YAC will be working with other UNESCO-designated Creative Cities across the globe to celebrate and highlight works from our sister cities.

Teen Spirit

November 17 – December 3

This exhibit is a partnership with local and regional high schools and homeschools for Grades 9 – 12. It is one of YAC’s largest shows of the year typically featuring 10 or more schools and 200-plus pieces of art. Every type of medium is represented and it is always a visitor favorite.

Affordable Art Show

December 7

Now a fundraising event for YAC, the goals of this show are to showcase work by artists living and working in and around Paducah. It also helps to reinforce to art appreciators and shoppers that art can be acceptable and affordable. This event is a big local draw bringing the City’s residents out to the gallery for a night

Wastelanders

December 15 – 31

A local group of working artists with wide support in the community culminated in a big New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31.

About YAC

The Yeiser Art Center (YAC), a non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status, was established in 1957 as the Paducah Art Guild to promote the appreciation of the visual arts and their creation. It started as a small volunteer organization with founding members Mary Yeiser, Ginny Black, and Bob Evans leading the way. Today, YAC has a permanent exhibition space that hosts seven shows annually and a permanent collection of over 300 works. The center offers visual art-based programming including educational classes for both children and adults, public gallery talks, and artist