Artscene 23 | Friday, August 14, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Bronte residents and visitors were treated to an evening of art, music, dance and interactive activities during the Aug. 6 edition of The Lake Walk, which took place in Bronte Village, along Bronte Road and Lakeshore Road West. Clockwise from left, Vanessa Corpus, 8, paints on the communal art piece. Lauren Rafauli, 4, checks out jewelry by Lucya Fatima Almeida. Artist Courtney Downman works with glass rods. Acoustic Funk musician Jonny Kerr and Nalayah Lewin, 5, (right) play on the Musical Bike Ride interactive exhibit. Some jewelry on display along the sidewalk. |photos by Nikki Wesley -- Oakville Beaver Lake Walk in Bronte ends on a high note by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff The Lake Walk pilot program in Bronte Village may have concluded last week, but the local businesses, artists and residents are still talking about its success. Ann Sargent, executive director of the Bronte Business Improvement Area (BIA), said the event was so well received that it will likely be brought back next month for Culture Days, set for Sept. 25-27. Culture Days is a national celebration held each September, where hundred of thousands of artists and cultural organizations in cities and towns across Canada strive to raise awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement in cultural life in their respective communities. Having held four Lake Walk events over the spring and summer months, with each one gaining more traction within the community, Sargent said its uniqueness is a perfect fit for Culture Days. "We had more than 30 businesses participating and 37 different performances," she said of the event that was driven by local businesses and artists. There was also live music, salsa and belly dancing, and a unique interactive art exhibit called Musical Bike Ride, which engaged patrons with its drums and percussion sounds. "Artisans were creating on-the-spot and it was such a wonderful evening and a great vibe on a beautiful evening," she said. "We had people discover Bronte who hadn't ever come here before." Trias Gallery owner Indira Roy Choudhury, who together with South Shore Spa owner Lynn Nguyen and Ti Vesto owner Claudia Russo, spearheaded the event, said it was rewarding seeing the whole community come together to showcase what Bronte Village has to offer through art, food, music and culture. "It was good to see businesses working together to do something like this and then getting such positive response," she said, adding how the event helped businesses and artists -- who may have never crossed paths -- forge mutually beneficial relationships. Christine Fenn, an Oakville painter, said she can't say enough about how much she enjoyed being part of the event. "I'd love to see Bronte do this every summer," said the artist, who is a member of the Oakville Arts Society, Oakville Arts Council and Artworks Oakville Association. "It was just a really good feel. You felt like you were in a resort town. It was a nice opportunity to showcase the local arts." Fenn was among a number of artists who did their craft live while passersby watched. Roy Choudhury confirmed she and the other organizers plan to make the event annual. 13-18