Saturday, April 25, 2009

Quilters in Paducah, KY

It's the week everyone has been gearing up for since last year, Quilters Week. Every year 30 to 40 thousand quilters descend on the tiny town of Paducah for one purpose, you guessed it, quilting. Paducah has several reasons for attracting these tourists and quilts are not the only reason, however it is the most important one at the top of the list. The Artist Relocation Program is in the top ten! Lots of quilters spend all morning and afternoon learning the newest techniques along with other old time styles, but after 4pm, they quickly spread to their cars, trucks, mini vans, buses, and even tandem bikes (Teri's Taxi Service) to explore what Paducah has to offer.
Some intersteing places noted in a book for sale through the National Quilt Museum:
1. Chocolate Factory- Ooey Gooey
2. Bryar Patch Studio- Home of the Master Quilter Caryl Fallert
3. The historic murals on the flood walls
4. Madien Alley Cinema- Mom and Pop movie theater
5. Lowertown Art Galleries and Studios
There are others, but I could only see a few pages in the book online.

Every shop has quilts in the windos for displays and even some building have quilt murals on their flanks facing the quilt museum. I installed my students quilt in Studio A.I.R. next to the Texaco Station in Lowertown. It looks great. I kinda feel like Tony the Tiger just a bit.
There a street vendors and artists working there magic and hoping someone will support there artistic endeavors. Seems like folks are buying high end art at the galleries as well...

Hope you enjoyed the glimpse into quilters week today and hopefully there will be more to come.

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