Where in the ADK? Art on the Deck at The Boardwalk on Lake George
Photo by ADK Taste
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” is from one of the most popular places to dine on the water in Lake George that also features some special art created locally.
The Boardwalk Restaurant and Marina on Amherst Street in Lake George Village is popular for its stunning views of Lake George, live music, burgers, seafood baskets and cocktails. It also features some cool, whimsical sculptures on its decks.
After a recent visit to The Boardwalk, we reached out to the restaurant to learn more about the sculptures. They told us about the artist Forrest Lanfair and directed us to a 2006 article in the Glens Falls Post Star about Mr. Lanfair. Note: The article is behind a paywall, so you will need to be a subscriber to access it.
Photo courtesy the Post Star
From the article, we learned that Mr. Lanfair was a Navy Seabee and WWII veteran. After his discharge, he became a mail carrier and then the postmaster in Warrensburg, holding that position for 30 years. He began creating the sculptures in the 1960s using wire and surface bonding compounds (whatever that is) and displayed them across his property on East Schroon Lake Road.
That’s when a lightbulb went off in our heads. We remember the property well, having driven by it many times in the 80s. In fact, the sculptures played a starring role in a practical joke we played on our beloved grandmother, who had left her camera in our car, but that’s a story for another time.
The property and its distinctive artworks were a sight to behold. They were clever, creative and cheeky. They fall into the category of “outsider art”. In the Post Star 2006 article, David Miller, who was the director of Skidmore College’s Schick Art Gallery at the time, describes outsider art as works from artists “who have no formal training. They kind of work from heart and soul, not using any formal issues in composing their work. It's a very honest kind of self-expression."
Photo courtesy Post Star
According to the Post Star’s article, Mr. Lanfair never intended for his work to be sold and told his family that he wanted them buried after he passed away. However, his family was never certain if that was his true wish. When he died suddenly, several circumstances necessitated his works and property be sold. For all the details, read the Post Star article.
We are so glad to know that Mr. Lanfair’s legacy lives on and hope that he would be pleased that so many people appreciated his work. If you know of other places his work is on display, please let us know at info@adktaste.com.
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