(MURRAY, Ky.) — Murray State University is hosting a major exhibition honoring Helen LaFrance, a self-taught Kentucky artist whose vibrant paintings chronicle African American life in the rural South, through a showcase of original works at the Waterfield Gallery through Nov. 1.
“The Life and Art of Helen LaFrance: A Vision in Memory and Spirit” features pieces from a collection acquired by the Paducah Historical Preservation Group, Inc., which has garnered significant attention from Kentucky Educational Television, WKMS Radio and News, and Forbes Magazine.
The exhibition will move to the university’s Wrather Museum Main Floor Gallery in February 2026, extending public access to LaFrance’s work.
A Self-Taught Vision
LaFrance, who lived from 1919 to 2020, grew up in Graves County, Kentucky, and began painting without formal training. Her “memory paintings” depict scenes from her childhood—church picnics, baptisms, harvests and Sunday gatherings—creating what art historians describe as “spiritual realism.”
The vivid, colorful compositions serve as both personal memoir and historical document, preserving traditions and experiences of African American communities in the American South during an era that might otherwise be lost to time.
Her work has been exhibited nationally and recognized by institutions including Smithsonian Folkways and The Kentucky Museum. Private collectors and museums across the United States have acquired her paintings.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
The Paducah Historical Preservation Group, a nonprofit organization, now stewards an extensive collection of LaFrance’s original works. Through partnerships with Murray State University and the Paducah School of Art and Design, the organization works to preserve and share stories of African American communities in western Kentucky.
“Helen LaFrance’s art transcends time,” a PHPG representative said. “Each painting tells a story rooted in community, memory and hope. It’s an honor to share her work with the students and visitors at Murray State University.”
The exhibition is free and open to the public during gallery hours.
