Work begins on Lakefront Walkway historic sculpture

June 25 update: Check out Paul’s progress at  five weeks

The giant white pine log arrived in Lake George late last week. It is the raw material for what Village Mayor Robert Blais believes will become a major attraction in Lake George. Master Woodcarver Paul Stark fired up his chainsaw this morning and is carefully cutting away the rough bark and pine to reveal what is hiding inside, a birch bark-style canoe carrying a frontiersman and four Native Americans.

The life-size sculpture will adorn the Lakefront Walkway along Beach Road across from the Fort William Henry Museum. The project was envisioned and brought to life by Kim and Rod Cornelius, local residents and friends of Paul Stark. At a March press event, Kim said, “I always felt that our community could provide historical artwork and education for its residents and tourists. When our friend Paul Stark came to visit us last fall, he carved a pine tree on our property and shared his vision of creating a life-size canoe with Indians and trappers that represented here. I knew it was just what Lake George needed.”

The Village of Lake George Board of Trustees and Mayor Blais embraced the idea. The Corneliuses formed a not-for-profit corporation and accepted donations from local residents and businesses to fund the project. The completed sculpture will be turned over to the Village as a gift.

Stark originally was looking at a red cedar in British Columbia but found the white pine in the Catskills. “It’s nicer,” says Stark, “to use a tree from in New York State.” Stark is doing the rough work at a site along State Route 9 just north of Lake George Village. The log, as it is now positioned, is upside down, and Stark is working on the sculpture’s base. When that is completed, the log will be flipped, and he will begin forming the canoe and its occupants.

Stark expects to be working at the Route 9 site for several weeks and then transport the work to its permanent location for finishing. The plan is to have the sculpture completed in time for the 260th anniversary of the Siege and Surrender of Fort William Henry this August.

June 25 update: Check out Paul’s progress at  five weeks:

[aesop_image imgwidth=”100%” img=”https://www.lakegeorgeexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Carving-LG-Canoe-Commission-1024×576.jpg” credit=”Pam Morin” align=”center” lightbox=”on” caption=”Pauk Stark, a master woodcarver, moves the Lake George Boardwalk Canoe Project forward as of June 25, 2017″ captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off”]