The Paducah Sun - Yeiser Members’ Show gives viewers a voice

Photo contributed Bill Renzulli's acrylic painting "Broken" is one of two pieces the doctor-turned-artist submitted to the Yeiser Art Center's fourth annual Members' Show. The opening reception will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday and will allow viewers to vote on their favorite works.

Photo contributed Elise Beattie's "Jungle Management," a mixed media collage, will be on display as part of the fourth annual Members' Show at the Yeiser Art Center. Beattie used small bits of paper adhered to the surface of the canvas to create the painting's texture.

The Yeiser Art Center has added a twist to its fourth annual Members’ Show. Visitors to the gallery will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite works, and awards will be given to the artists with the most votes when the exhibition closes on Dec. 22.

“It allows people who may not be creative ... to have a say, an opinion, and enjoy the excitement,” said Elise Beattie, a YAC board member whose work in acrylics and watercolors will be displayed in the show.

Beattie, originally from New York City, has traveled and shown work in the U.S. and internationally. She said Paducah’s focus on the arts drew her and her husband here in 2008.

“I think the Yeiser Art Center is a gem for the community,” she said. “We’re trying to represent a high quality of art as well as inspire and encourage local artists to display their work. ... (The Members’ Show) is a show by the community and for the community,” she said.

Because it is not juried, the show guarantees members a spot on the Yeiser’s walls, making for a diverse display of local art, said Bill Renzulli, artist and show participant.

Renzulli started off in the medical field and made the switch to art later in life. During his 10 years living in Paducah, Renzulli has had his own exhibit at the Yeiser and participated in numerous Members’ Shows, he said.

For this year’s Members’ Show, Renzulli submitted one piece in charcoal and one in acrylic.

“They are two of my better pieces,” he said.

The opening reception, which begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, will also kick off the Light Up the Yeiser Campaign, said Josh White, YAC executive director.

To become more energy efficient, the Yeiser is converting to LED bulbs, White said. Light bulbs will hang from a Christmas tree inside the art center where they can be purchased and inscribed in memory of loved ones.

“It’ll make a great gift, a great way to celebrate the holiday season ... and a great way to yelp the YAC be more and more green,” White said.

Call Laurel Black, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8641.

Want to go?

What: Opening reception for the fourth annual Yeiser Members’ Show

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway