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The PAPA Gallery
THE PAPA GALLERY BULLETIN BOARD
A Different Perspective
Art can do many things and often painters help you see things in unexpected ways. Water colorist John McLaren piques our interest in the Artist Challenge this month to paint a window. Rather than simply showing us a window though, he tempts us to...
Breathtaking
Your selection for the People's Choice this month is Chad McLaren's aptly titled painting, "Breathtaking." Chad immediately directs your attention to the tranquility of this face as you imagine the feel of cool water enveloping skin. The stark...
Don’t Miss It!
You only have a week left to see what our artists have prepared for you over at City Hall! "Remnants of Silent Flights" by Paula Clark Trojahn provides a clue to the engaging art awaiting you in this special summer exhibition. Her use of color and...
THE PAPA GALLERY
Featured Artist

July 2025 Featured Artist – Mark Ray
All my life, as far back as I can remember, I loved drawing. Starting with cartoons as a kid and through high school, much the same. And later in life I met Phillip Powell, a local artist from Calloway County. He inspired me because of his love of wildlife painting and gave me my first […]
READ ABOUT
Our Story
In 1991, a small group of Paducah painters realized a common need. They wanted to learn more about fine art and painting. Led by master artist and long-time Paducah resident, the late Clyde H. Lawter Jr, the group began meeting, sharing, learning, and growing!
A short time later, the group incorporated as a non-profit organization and were officially named PAPA – Paducah Area Painters Alliance.
The PAPA Gallery on Broadway opened in 1998, providing the perfect place to show their work and share their stories. Some members of that original ‘charter group’ are still painting and showing their work today, joined by many more artists from our surrounding region. That same spirit of camaraderie exists at PAPA today and we continue to find ways to share art with each other and our community.

Clyde H Lawter, Jr
Founding Member
THE PAPA GALLERY
Our Purpose
PAPA endeavors to bring together artists to encourage, motivate, educate, and promote them, and to promote the art of painting in particular. A principal goal is to increase sociability and friendship among its members. Whenever resources allow, PAPA will provide a theatre to display member’s art – both in the gallery on Broadway, online on our website, and in the community.
THE PAPA GALLERY
Our Board
Dutch Thurman, President
Jenny Fuller, Executive Director
Diane Bay, Program Coordinator
Heather Reid, Treasurer
Cindy McLaren, Secretary
Mark Cope
Sandi Johnson
John McLaren
Chad Nelson
Dale Houseworth
Rebecca Mueller-Williams
THE PAPA GALLERY
Event Calendar
THE PAPA GALLERY
Support
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We invite you to share your passion for art with us!
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Stay in the Know
Address
124 Broadway St
Paducah, KY 42001, USA
(270) 575-3544
Open Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 11am – 3pm
Other times by appointment only.
Call (270) 519-3198 for appt.