Local Artist Donates Watercolor to Rogers High School

An award-winning artist and graduate of Rogers High School has donated a stunning watercolor painting to the school in memory of her former art teacher at the school.

Natalie K. Pfanstiehl, a 1938 graduate of Rogers High School, donated the painting, “The Beach in Winter,” to remember Mary Harvey, a teacher who ”encouraged many students to pursue scholarships from the Rhode Island School of Design,” according to a school department release.

Pfanstiehl has taught watercolor at the Newport Art Museum for 30 years and has led the Plein Air painters of Narragansett Bay, formerly known as the Thursday Outdoor Painters.

She is a signature member of the American Society of Marine Artists and a professional member of the International Society of Marine Painters.

Along with her painting, Pfanstiehl has taught dozens of workshops across the globe and has accumulated dozens of awards.

“She loves teaching and painting and loves the friends she has made through the arts,” the release stated.

Photo: David C. Hanos, Jr., Newport School Committee Vice Chairperson, local award winning artist Natalie Phanstiehl, and Jo Eva Gaines, Newport School Committee Chairperson accept “The Beach in Winter” and original award winning watercolor in memory of Natalie’s art teacher at Rogers High School, Mary Harvey who encouraged many students to pursue scholarships from the Rhode Island School of Design.