LOCAL ARTIST AND PASTOR TO UNVEIL GREAT LAKES MARITIME ART
Northern Michigan artist and Pastor of Manistee Assembly of God, Patrick B. Pointer, will be unveiling his most recent Great Lakes Maritime Art Carvings as the Official Carvings of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Launching of the Edmund Fitzgerald being held at the Lake Erie Metro Park in Gibraltar, Michigan on Saturday, June 7, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
“The first piece is entitled “Fare Thee Well,” to honor those who had anything to do with the ship, from the building to her final hours and to us today who remember those who have come before us,” said Pointer. You will see the “Fitz” passing the Great Lakes Engineering Works, where she was built and launched as Hull #301. The record breaking “Mighty Fitz” was the largest ship on the Great Lakes when she was launched and one of the most well known ships of the past fifty years. The second piece is entitled “Farewell,” an original carving of the Edmund Fitzgerald on that tragic night in November of 1975.
“I am honored to have my artwork as the Official Carvings of the 50th Anniversary of the Launching of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” This event has been brought together to honor those who designed, engineered, and built the ship and launched it in 1958. There will be many of these men and their families on hand as well as family members of those who served on the “Fitz.”
“This type of artwork is different from most,” Pointer explained. “It is like painting with wood… just as an oil or acrylic painter would paint in their medium yet instead of using brushes, paint, and canvas, I use chisels, knives and solid wood to create an almost photographic image.” “Like Thomas Kinkade, I use light as my source to emulate the entire piece, drawing the viewer into an experience for themselves.” From start to finish, light is important to these pieces. Unlike a painting however, these three dimensional carvings completely change from whatever angle you look at them.
Pointer, an accomplished artist carved professionally in the 80’s and 90’s before becoming a full time pastor. His accomplished works have shown across the United States and Canada in waterfowl carving competitions and in automotive artwork in places such as the Ward Foundation World Competition in Ocean City, Maryland to the REO Oldsmobile Museum in Lansing Michigan.
“Due to raising a family and pasturing in churches, I have been too busy to carve professionally until now, carving for me has always been a stress outlet and I am blessed to be able to start carving again and honored to be involved in these upcoming events and more.”
Pointer, was himself inspired at a young age by artwork throughout our country’s museums, from Mystic Seaport in Massachusetts, to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle in Detroit and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, to name just a few. “It is my desire to inspire those of all generations young and old to preserve our heritage and understand our history and where we have come from, lest we forget.” His art will draw you into the scene to experience a moment in time for yourself.
For more information you may contact him at revpdog@hotmail.com or (231) 233-6621
