Debbie Croft: Tapestry of an Artist

Thomas Hill was a landscape artist in the 19th century who favored monumental vistas. Done in soft, expressive tones, many of his paintings are of the awe-inspiring landmarks within Yosemite National Park.

Born in England, he and his family immigrated to the eastern seaboard of America when he was 15. After attending art school and then visiting Yosemite for the first time, he kept coming back. Eventually he opened a studio at the Historic Wawona Hotel. Some of his works have cost as much as $10,000.

Several of Hill's paintings have been reproduced on canvas, and are now hung "salon style" (covering the wall from floor to ceiling) in an exhibit at the Wawona. For hours of operation and other information, please call the Wawona at (801)559-4884, or visit the Web site: www.yosemitepark.com.

And in the Sonora area, which is only a hop (to Snelling), a skip (over to La Grange) and a jump (through the hills and up to Columbia) away...

The Sierra Repertory Theatre is featuring the lively musical "Sisters of Swing," a tribute to the Andrews Sisters. SRT Artistic Director Scott Viets says, "This show celebrates not only their music, but also appreciates their impact on our country and why their accomplishments have given them an honored place in history."

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Redevelopment Changes The Tapestry Of Quilting Capital

PADUCAH, Ky. - Dressed in black, smoking cigarettes and disaffected by youth, 22-year-old Reuben Gearhart is one of the few people who doesn't like what he sees in his rejuvenated hometown.

Too quaint, too many restaurants he can't afford, too many tourists. Especially during quilt week. Paducah is one of the world's quilting capitals, and every April the pre-eminent quilting show more than doubles the town's population.

"The thing about downtown is that it's beautifully tailored to the people they want here: rich, old people," said Gearhart, who plays drums for a band called Vicious Mistress.

Which, funny enough, is exactly right. This town's fortunes have risen during in the last decade by appealing to "rich, old people," - that is, tourists who spend money - and sprinkling in the things most visitors, young and old, would want within about 10 square blocks: quality food, cozy accommodations, art galleries and, of course, a quilting museum. Even the parking is free.

For a town of 26,000, you could call it sophisticated. The key has been two redevelopment efforts - one for the downtown, which sits on the banks of the Ohio River, and the other for the city's oldest residential neighborhood, Lowertown, where dozens of artists have been lured by the promise of cheap or free land.

Where there were blight, drugs dealers and broken sidewalks 10 years ago, there now are art galleries in restored late-19th century brick homes. The city's Artist Relocation Program has been widely hailed and frequently copied.

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