West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) announces the launch of the Dafford Murals Master Workshop, an intensive introduction to the materials, processes, and techniques of renowned muralist Robert Dafford.

A twelve-day lecture and hands-on workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 6-18, 2022, in PSAD’s 2D and Graphic Design Building and onsite at Paducah’s riverfront floodwall. Participants will study mural painting with Robert Dafford and work with him in painting the final ten panels of Paducah’s Wall to Wall mural project, which was painted by Dafford and his team. Paducah Wall to Wall captures the rich history of this UNESCO Creative City's floodwall overlooking the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. This visionary project began in the spring of 1996, with the first twenty panels completed in 2001 and the last painting in the three-block section in 2010.

Through lecture and demonstration, Dafford will share his process from start to finish, with students applying these lessons on wall panels indoors at PSAD before moving onsite to the riverfront to begin laying out a mural depicting the historic railway system connecting Paducah to Chicago, Memphis, Saint Louis, and Nashville. Dafford and his team will complete the murals in the weeks to follow.

 Artists may apply to participate through the submission of works samples, a resume, and a letter of intent. Submissions must be received by January 31, 2022. Accepted applicants will be notified by February 18, 2022. There is no fee to apply. Tuition for accepted applications is $795. A limited number of scholarships will be available for accepted veterans, Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) art program graduates, and artists residing in UNESCO Creative Cities. Please check the appropriate box when submitting your application if applicable.

With a goal of twenty participants, those accepted through the jurying process will register through West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s (WKCTC) Community Education program at All supplies will be provided through a partnership with Paducah Wall to Wall. 

Participants may arrange for housing through any of the many hotels, accommodations, or RV parks listed by Paducah Convention and Visitor Center at paducah.travel. A list of hotels offering discounted rates will be provided as well. Lunch may be purchased at the Kitchens Café, onsite at PSAD. Breakfast and dinner are available through a wide range of nearby restaurants, coffee shops, or markets. 

Regional attractions include the National Quilt Museum, Carson Center for the Performing Arts, River Discovery Center, the annual American Quilters Society Quilt Week, Yeiser Art Center, and, of course, Paducah’s Wall to Wall floodwall murals. PSAD will develop public programs and community events in partnership with these and other resources in the region in association with the workshop.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is a regionally accredited college recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 10 Community College five times by the Aspen Institute and named a Finalist with Distinction three times.

Paducah School of Art and Design’s Dafford Murals Master Workshop contributes to Paducah’s emergence as a cultural destination and its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art.

Robert Dafford and his team of artists have painted over 500 murals across the United States, Canada, France, England, and Belgium with a focus for the past 40 years on murals along the Ohio River. Using trompe l’oeil, advanced perspective, and realist techniques, Dafford has completed over 200 murals in the region with over 50 panels in Paducah alone.

Application Requirements

Applications must include up to ten work samples representing an appropriate level of skill  as a painter and basic knowledge of design and color, a resume documenting professional practice in the visual arts, and a brief statement of intent regarding the workshop.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications will be accepted from all artists with appropriate experience and interest as demonstrated through work samples, a resume, and a statement of intent. Encouraged to apply are veterans, Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) art program graduates, and artists residing in UNESCO Creative Cities.