Kentucky Historical Society
KHS to Host Food for Thought: “Paul Sawyier: A Kentucky Impressionist” in December

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 22, 2010)— The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), which holds one of the largest collections of Paul Sawyier works in the United States, will host  Food for Thought: “Paul Sawyier: A Kentucky Impressionist” at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort.

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. 

A bracelet that belonged to Mayme Bull, Sawyier’s long-time girlfriend, and seven Sawyier works, including “South End, Old Covered Bridge,” “The Old Capitol,” “Bridge Street,” “A Rainy Day in Frankfort” and “Portrait of ‘Mayme’ Bull Within River Landscape” will be on display at the luncheon.

Bill Coffey, owner of Paul Sawyier Galleries Publishers, will provide a closer look at the artist’s life. Coffey 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 menu for this month’s luncheon features cheddar cheese wafers, country ham, Shakertown cole slaw, praline sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry relish, yeast rolls, rum cake, egg nog and iced tea or coffee.

Tickets to the luncheon, which is part of the KHS Highlighting History series, are $18 for KHS members and $23 for other patrons. To make a reservation, contact Julia Curry at 502-564-1792 or Julia.Curry@ky.gov. Reservations must be made in advance and are required by Dec. 3.

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. Highlighting History is provided through the generous support of the KHS Foundation. To find out more about Highlighting History and other KHS programs, visit www.history.ky.gov.

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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, the Old State Capitol and the 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.