FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Please contact:
Alan Claude
ALAN CLAUDE COM
42 Grant Street
Farmingdale, ME 04344

(207) 582-0530
(207) 582-0532 Fax
info@alanclaude.com
www.alanclaude.com

 

MAINE LIGHTHOUSE ART AT OCEAN GATEWAY TERMINAL
COMMEMORATES NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY – AUGUST 7TH


In an effort to promote Maine and the arts, The Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau with the cooperation of the City of Portland, is displaying thirteen large Maine lighthouse posters by acclaimed graphic artist, Alan Claude, at the Ocean Gateway Visitor Information Center. "These lighthouses greet visitors with their vibrant colors and entice them to explore the Coast of Maine," says CVB president Barbara Whitten. The vintage-style posters are part of the artist’s continuing series of popular lighthouse prints reminiscent of European travel posters from the 1920’s.

On August 7, 1789, the Federal Government took over responsibility from the states for building and operating our nation's lighthouses. Lighthouses were very important for our economy, for trade and safe travel. Today with GPS technology rendering lighthouses nearly obsolete, these iconic structures have taken on new role. They are now important symbols of our history and culture. “For me a lighthouse takes on a spiritual connotation - one of guidance, vision, steadfastness, strength, hope, beauty, and romance," says the artist. “Alan Claude’s illustrations are some of the most stunning renditions of Maine lighthouses I’ve ever seen,” says Tim Harrison of Lighthouse Digest, whose magazine is headquartered in Machias. Marty Welt, president of the Friends of Pemaquid Point Light agrees, “They are beautiful and are very well received by our visitors. Fifty percent of the travel poster and calendar sales at Pemaquid Point Light help fund our preservation and restoration projects.” Other places where the travel posters and calendars are sold include the Portland Head Light museum store and the Cape Neddick "Nubble" Light.

Alan Claude wants to do his part to keep the lights burning.  The artist is donating several prints for a special summer $5 raffle supporting the Maine Lighthouse Museum and the American Lighthouse Foundation.  Approximately 100,000 people are projected to visit the center on any given year. The Gateway Visitor Center is open 9 am to 5pm Monday thru Friday, Saturday  and Sunday  9am to 4pm. The Maine Lighthouse Collection Series will be displayed up until November 2010.

###### High resolution photos below.