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January 12, 2009

Valcour Lighthouse artist leaves legacy of popular historic structure

By JEFF MEYERS

PLATTSBURGH -- Valcour Lighthouse has been an attraction to artists for decades.

The noble structure rising above the jagged cliffs of Valcour Island lends itself nicely to the paintbrush or camera lens.

One of the most famous images of the historic lighthouse was done by Rennie Fenwick in 1986 when Champlain Valley Federal Savings Bank commissioned her to do a painting of the building.

LEAVING A MARK
Fenwick, who retired to Florida several years ago, died last month at the age of 67. Through her Valcour painting, her legacy will remain etched in North Country history.

"She certainly left a mark on the area with the lighthouse painting," said Roger Harwood, president of the Board of Directors for the Clinton County Historical Association, who noted that he spoke with Fenwick a few years ago about the handling of the prints for the Historical Association.

"Her print has certainly helped bring awareness to the lighthouse."

IN ITS PRIME
The painting features an autumnal setting, with some evergreens scattered amongst several trees brightly displaying their yellow and orange fall foliage. The blue sky above the lighthouse is dotted with white, fluffy clouds.

It reminds the viewer of a time when the lighthouse was in its prime and a prominent beacon to the lake's busy commercial boating era.

The lighthouse was built in 1873 and on active duty until the early 1930s, when an automated steel light tower was erected adjacent to the original building.

The beacon was relit in November 2004 after the U.S. Coast Guard began a program to relit several historic lighthouses covering the length of Lake Champlain.

The light, operated by a single battery fueled by solar power, has been flashing every few seconds since then.

The Historical Association has also worked hard to reopen the building itself, using funds from donations associated with the Fenwick painting. The association still has a few signed prints and several unsigned prints available.

DIFFERENT STYLE
The prints are not for sale, but people who make donations for lighthouse maintenance and repair can receive a print for their donation.

A group of dedicated volunteers have restored the interior, and the building has been open for tours during summers (and even in the winter when the ice is solid) since 2004.

The association also installed an informational plaque in 2007 to relate the history of the building for visitors when the lighthouse is not open.

Fenwick, especially well known locally for her watercolor paintings, also designed a cachet depicting the U.S. Oval for a U.S. Postal Service stamp commemorating the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation's 4th of July Celebration on 2001.

"She was just a wonderful, wonderful person," said Virginia Johnson, who took an arts and crafts course in watercolors with Fenwich in the late 1980s. "She was so very talented and so encouraging."

Johnson came to the class with a different style, she recalled, but Fenwick told her not to change anything, to believe in the way she wanted to paint.

"She showed us several different techniques," Johnson said. "She was very talented and inspiring. I have been painting ever since."

jmyers@pressrepublican.com

to receive a lighthouse print
Guidelines for donations to the Valcour Lighthouse maintenance program are as follows:
E For a donation of $100, the donor will receive a numbered print.
E For a donation of $250, the donor will receive a print signed by Rennie Fenwick.
E For a donation of $500, the donor will receive a print signed by Rennie Fenwick and will have their name placed on a plaque that hangs at the lighthouse. This level has a tax deduction of $250. For more information or to make a donation, visit the museum at 98 Ohio Ave., near U.S. Oval on the Old Base or call 561-0340.

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