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PENTWATER — The Pentwater Historical Society and the Pentwater Arts Council have announced that The Lamplighter, a sculpture constructed of antique tools and implements, will be permanently on display at the Pentwater Historical Society and Museum, located at 85 S. Rutledge St.
A dedication event is set for Sunday, June 29, at 4 p.m. at the museum.
The sculpture depicts a worker in the process of lighting a gas street lamp, riding a bicycle and extending a torch to light the lamp. The Lamplighter shines at night when it is illuminated from several sources.
The sculpture was a part of the 2024 Sculpture Walk sponsored by the Pentwater Arts Council and supported by Pentwater Village and Pentwater Artisan Learning Center.
Michigan artists Tyler and Ashley Voorhees describe their piece as “a sculpture harkening back to the early days when streets of most towns and cities were lit by gas lamps. By means of long poles, ladders, and even tall bikes, these lamps had to be lit each night as dusk turned to darkness. Lamplighters provided not only light but also safety in their communities. More than just a job, these harbingers of light represent a way of life: illuminating darkness. We all carry light within us and The Lamplighter symbolizes a collective connection to spread that light is a reminder of eras past.”
Tyler and Ashley Voorhees are planning to attend the dedication ceremony.
The Lamplighter was generously donated by the Messerlie family. David and Carol Messerlie donated the sculpture to the museum in the interest of supporting the Pentwater community.
Pentwater itself has become a mecca for artists, drawing many painters, woodworkers, weavers, glassworkers, and more.
Other sculptures from previous years that have been selected to stay in Pentwater include Water Maiden, located at the north east end of the channel to Pentwater Lake; Gypsy, located at Channel Lane Park; Constructed Tree, located in the Municipal Park on the lakefront; Mellow Yellow, located at the Village office; and Ann’s Arbor, positioned as an entryway at the top of the Village Green.
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