The River Discovery Center hosted the Paducah Ambassadors, Wall to Wall Board, City officials and the Visitors Bureau to honor Gerry Montgomery during a book presentation and lots of photo taking Monday morning. Her involvement with the 24/7 art and history project from its inception and her visionary leadership through the past 25 years, made the ceremony extra meaningful. Books had been delivered to ten retail stores prior to the event. Those locations are listed on the website: Art Guild of Paducah, bbQ & More, Hank Brothers-both southside and Lone Oak locations, Maiden Alley Cinema, Midtown Market, National Quilt Museum, PAPA Art Gallery, Roof Brothers on Park Avenue and Wagner Wine and Spirits. The books sell for $10 each. All proceeds support future mural maintenance.
Montgomery was surrounded by fellow Red Coats as she opened the book, signed by all who were present. She created the all-volunteer Ambassador program when she was mayor-over 30 years ago. The organization has grown through the years and is more involved than ever welcoming visitors and serving as guides, greeters and offering general hospitality during local events. "We view these murals like a beautifully illustrated diary of our past as we look forward to our future," commented Wall to Wall Board Chair Fowler Black as he presented the first book to Montgomery.
Montgomery was surrounded by fellow Red Coats as she opened the book, signed by all who were present. She created the all-volunteer Ambassador program when she was mayor-over 30 years ago. The organization has grown through the years and is more involved than ever welcoming visitors and serving as guides, greeters and offering general hospitality during local events. "We view these murals like a beautifully illustrated diary of our past as we look forward to our future," commented Wall to Wall Board Chair Fowler Black as he presented the first book to Montgomery.
Paducah native Nathan Brown is the graphic artist who photographed, designed and was the creative eye for this new book. He included a few photos from local photographers to give readers a feel of the project's beauty year round and from different perspectives. "The Paducah Wall to Wall Board was thrilled to see the new book and could not have been more pleased with the new design and content. We hope to have these in the hands of everyone interested in this magnificent project," said Ro Morse, project director.
Hank Brothers True Value in Lone Oak and on the South Side and the River Discovery Center will ship the books for anyone interested in sending copies to friends and family.
The Greeting the Queens mural was originally sponsored by Ambassador, Jim Grisham, who dedicated it in memory of his wife Jo Grisham. Both Jim and Jo worked tirelessly with the organization in their retirement years. The image was painted from a photo taken on July 2, 1996 when the American Queen, Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen all docked simultaneously at the Port of Paducah. Jim and Jo are the two Red Coats in the foreground on far left. The Ambassadors were on shore with their red umbrellas, waving at passengers on the steamboats. Quite the sight on Paducah's riverfront!
Glen Arterburn, graphic designer and Paducah native, just launched the newly designed paducahwalltowall.com website this week. "Fantastic!" commented Gayle Frye, long-time Wall to Wall Board member. Frye was the Parks Director when the Dafford Mural project began in 1996 and has continued to serve on the board through these 25 painting seasons. "This new site has the potential to remind the world how amazing Paducah is now and has been for hundreds of years," remarked Morse. "We are delighted with this much improved creative connection to the project."
Muralists Robert Dafford and Herb Roe will be in town this spring to inventory the 50+ murals in preparation for summer maintenance. There will be more celebration events planned and opportunities for book signings and time with the artists.
On the Net:
Paducah Wall to Wall Web Site
