Kentucky Historical Society
Public Invited to View Selections from KHS Sawyier Collection

Public Invited to View Selections from KHS Sawyier Collection
KHS home to more than 100 original Paul Sawyier paintings

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 29, 2010)— Paul Sawyier fans are in for a special treat on Thursday, July 22, when the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will host an evening program featuring a small exhibition of original Sawyier works and presentations by Sawyier experts. “An Evening with the Paintings” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.

Several original Sawyier works, including three oil paintings and two watercolors, which feature Frankfort scenes, will be on display during the event. Bill Coffey, owner of Paul Sawyier Galleries Publishers, will cover the artist’s background and family, while Warren and Julie Payne, owners of Payne Fine Arts Gallery, will discuss three women who studied under Sawyier.

Thanks, in part, to a 2008 bequest by the late Mary Kelly, of Louisville, Ky., KHS is home to more than 100 original Paul Sawyier paintings.  Kelly’s bequest of 17 Sawyier paintings brings the Society’s total collection to 112.  In addition to the large number of paintings, the KHS Paul Sawyier collection contains a number of photographs, letters and a scrapbook. 

Tickets to the Thursday evening program, which is part of the KHS Highlighting History series, are $10 for members and $15 for all other guests. Wine and light appetizers will be served. To make a reservation, contact Julia Curry at 502-564-1792 or Julia.Curry@ky.gov. Reservations are required by July 16.

The Paynes are retirees who developed a second career as private art dealers in Louisville, specializing in the art of Kentucky’s shared past. The couple served as co-curators of several exhibitions in the Louisville area over the past two decades and published several catalogs and a new book, “Clear as Mud: 20th Century Kentucky Art Pottery.” Julie has a degree in photography from the University of Louisville (U of L) and Warren holds a M.A. in English from U of L.

Coffeey became the sole owner and president of Paul Sawyier Galleries Publishers in 1981. In more than 35 years of operation, Paul Sawyier Galleries has sold over 400,000 prints. Coffey’s interest in the artist and his work led to the location of several persons who actually knew Sawyier, and three who were distantly related.  Coffey continues to seek “lost” Sawyier originals for possible reproduction, and to ensure the paintings are preserved. 

The KHS Highlighting History series includes History Speaks!, Food for Thought and special Thursday evening programs and offers guests an opportunity to explore a wide variety of historical topics. To find out more about Highlighting History and other KHS programs, visit www.history.ky.gov.

-30-
An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, established in 1836, is committed to helping people understand, cherish and share Kentucky's history. The KHS history campus includes The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, Old State Capitol and Kentucky Military History Museum at the Old State Arsenal.  For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the website at www.history.ky.gov.