It was a good idea: In an artist community where so many are looking to reach customers in new and interesting ways, mobile carts placed strategically around the city of Paducah would offer artists without a gallery the chance to take their work to the streets.

Then came the windy days, the rainy days, and the days that it was just too hot to sit outside.

Paducah Art a’la Cart is what organizer Jeff Spicer calls a “dream in progress,” but three weeks ago Spicer and his group of artists got one step closer to realizing its success. They opened a building, which houses the carts and includes work space for any artist who asks to use it — from kilns to easels, and wall space to hang and display the artist’s work.

“The carts work great,” Spicer said. “They compliment all of the festivals and Live on Broadway. But this gives us kind of a hub, where people can come grab a cart and promote themselves.”

While the building on Broadway is the new home for Paducah Art a’la Carte, Spicer has big plans for expansion. Because the carts are so mobile, he hopes to take them to fairs and other festivals to promote art in Paducah.

The carts, which feature professional looking work spaces and compartments that become a mobile studio, will be housed within the building but can still be taken out on the town whenever an artist wants. Spicer says the building, which is at the  end of Broadway before the floodwall, will initially be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week until he can get enough volunteers to have it open six days a week.

“We have all kinds of artists represented just in the space we are using to display work,” Spicer said. “There are ceramicists, jewelry makers, painters. All kinds of art are represented here, by artists that may not have their own galleries or show space.”

What: Paducah Art a’la Carte

Where: The last building before the floodwall on Broadway.

When: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting at 3 p.m.

For more information, check out paducahartalacart.com