Helen LaFrance: Enduring artist and West Kentucky memory keeper

Helen LaFrance: Enduring artist and West Kentucky memory keeper

Helen LaFrance’s 1998 painting of the Graves County Courthouse, which was toppled in the 2021 tornado, is among her works on display through Feb. 27 at the Wrather Museum at Murray State University. (Photo courtesy of Paducah Historical Preservation Group)MURRAY — When an E-F4 tornado ravaged downtown Mayfield in 2021, a painting by esteemed artist Helen LaFrance was pummeled at the local Ice House Gallery, which was levelled by the storm.  Hele…