PHOTOS: PADUCAH CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
variety of venues, including the Carson Center for the performing arts, a massive and modern construc- tion in the heart of the city that hosts acts and shows from all over. Some of the headliners who have played here are Vince Gill, B. B. King, Josh Turner, and many others. The center (named for Luther F. Carson, one of the first Coca-Cola bottlers in the area) is more than just a venue for traveling entertainers. In its mission statement, the center lists its values, and among them is the following: “We believe the arts strengthen communi- ties in many ways—culturally, educationally, economically, socially, spiritually.” In support of this belief (one clearly shared by the community of Paducah), the center offers educa- tional opportunities for local students, as well as workshops and master classes for other members of the community. Here, too, you can see the Paducah Symphony Orchestra perform.
Paducah is also home to the Market House Theatre, which was started in 1963 by a group of residents who thought it would be good to have a regional theater in downtown Padu- cah. The troupe has flourished and grown over the years, presenting a full season of shows, offering classes and opportunities for local talent to audition and perform. The first play the group put on was held in the IBEW Union Hall in 1963, but by the time the second play was produced, the theatre had found a new home in the historic Market House building, originally built by one of Paducah’s mayors, David Yeiser Sr., in 1905. The theater group still has a home in the Market House, as does the Yeiser Art Center, started by Mary Yeiser, granddaughter of the edifice’s builder. Mary studied art and traveled the world, but returned to Paducah to teach and start the Paducah Art Guild. After a devastating fire de- stroyed the Carnegie Library, where the guild was located, the Paducah Art Guild moved to the Market House; in 1990, it took on the name of the Yeiser Art Center. Today artists have showings at the Yeiser Art Center, and there are exhibits from all over
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u The Carson Center provides a venue for performances of Broadway hits, theater, and musicals in an 1,800-seat hall.
u In the historic 1905 Market House, the Market House Theatre is a nationally recognized, award-winning community theater producing plays and musicals.
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