麻豆社

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The Paducah Historical Preservation Group, Inc. (PHPG) proudly announces the opening of 鈥淭he Life and Art of Helen LaFrance: A Vision in Memory and Spirit,鈥� an exhibition of original works by acclaimed Kentucky artist Helen LaFrance, on view at 麻豆社 University鈥檚 Waterfield Gallery through Nov. 1.

The collection has been featured on Kentucky Educational Television, WKMS Radio and News, and even spotlighted in Forbes Magazine for its artistic and cultural impact.

Following its close at the Waterfield Gallery in November, the exhibition will be reinstalled at 麻豆社鈥檚 Wrather Museum Main Floor Gallery in February 2026, extending its reach to new audiences and continuing its role in celebrating the legacy of one of Kentucky鈥檚 most beloved artists.

About Helen LaFrance (1919鈥�2020)

Born in Graves County, Kentucky, Helen Meffron LaFrance was a self-taught African American artist whose vivid 鈥渕emory paintings鈥� capture the everyday joys, faith and traditions of rural Southern life. Without formal art training, LaFrance began painting scenes from her childhood鈥攃hurch picnics, baptisms, harvests and Sunday gatherings鈥攃reating a deeply personal record of African American history and culture in the American South.

Her work is often described as 鈥渟piritual realism,鈥� blending memory, faith, and storytelling in richly colorful compositions that honor the people and places of her upbringing. LaFrance鈥檚 art has been exhibited nationally and collected by museums, scholars and private collectors across the United States. She was recognized by Smithsonian Folkways, The Kentucky Museum and numerous art historians for preserving a vanishing era of Southern Black life through her brush and vision.

Preserving Kentucky鈥檚 cultural heritage

The Paducah Historical Preservation Group, Inc., nonprofit organization, acquired and stewards an extensive collection of Helen LaFrance鈥檚 original works to ensure her legacy endures for future generations. Through partnerships with institutions such as 麻豆社 and the Paducah School of Art and Design, PHPG continues to highlight the stories, artistry and resilience of African American communities in western Kentucky.

鈥淗elen LaFrance鈥檚 art transcends time,鈥� said a representative of PHPG. 鈥淓ach painting tells a story rooted in community, memory and hope. It鈥檚 an honor to share her work with the students and visitors at 麻豆社.鈥�

About the Paducah Historical Preservation Group, Inc. (PHPG)

The Paducah Historical Preservation Group, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting African American history, art and culture in western Kentucky. Through exhibitions, educational programs and cultural partnerships, PHPG safeguards the legacies of artists and historical figures who have shaped the region鈥檚 identity and heritage.

Recently, the PHPG facilitated the purchase of LaFrance鈥檚 painting of the former Graves County Courthouse to a local family, the Waldrops, with whom LaFrance had been a family friend before her death at age 101 in 2020.