www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 13, 2007 - 35 Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2007 DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER NOW SHOWING: The paintings of Darla Thompson McNevin (photographed) and Connie James are currently on display at the historic Sovereign House in Bronte. Sovereign House has full lineup of artists By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A hidden historical gem in Bronte is showcasing art all summer long. Sovereign House, located at 7 West River St., is once again hosting its Art on the Bluffs series. Featuring local artists, the series boasts "a cornucopia of artistic styles," says co-organizer and artist, Lesha Kokosky. Showing at the local spot until Wednesday, July 18 are Connie James and Darla McNevin. James, who has called Oakville home for more than 30 years, is exhibiting a handful of pastel depictions of different Bronte sites. It's her first year as a participating artist in Art on the Bluffs. "This gives me an opportunity to display my work locally at an historical site," she said of the Sovereign House. And her works will resonate with the locals. One shows a small house near the late Bill Hill's historical house in Bronte and is entitled `Soon to be Forgotten,' because it's going to be torn down. Another, Bronte's Old Beauty, depicts a tree that won't be around much longer. Having shown her work at various galleries, James says Sovereign House is different. "It's just the whole ambience of the place. The gardens around it. The fact that it's so small, and on the bluffs. It's just a nice little historical house," she said. The front room is being used to showcase the art, while the back room, is full of historical artifacts and a heritage display centre. Upstairs in the home is a bedroom styled in the 1910 era and a schoolroom, also full of historical artifacts. The house was completed in 1846 by Charles Sovereign, a son of one of the early settlers in the area. It was moved to Town parkland in 1988 courtesy of the Town and Bronte Historical Society because it was threatened with demolition where it once stood, less than a mile from where it is now. It was home to one of Canada's best known writers in the first half of the 20th century, Mazo de la Roche, who wrote her first book Possession based on her time living in the Sovereign House from 1911-1915. And yet, Kokosky says, many people don't know about the Sovereign House, because it's on the west side of the harbour. "When I discovered it about five years ago, I thought, what a beautiful place," she said. "I was told it was a summer venue for artists, and I immediately got in touch with the organizer. I loved it. I absolutely fell in love with the building." She contacted Lynn Estall, who co-organized the show this year along with Carol Sanders and Kokosky. While the Sovereign House is owned by the Town of Oakville, it's maintained by a group of volunteers with the Bronte Historical Society. "There's an awful lot of effort that goes into maintaining the place. There's a lot of concern to keep it going, and the art is a very important fundraiser," said Kokosky. "At the same time, selfishly from the artists' point of view, it's a beautiful place to show. It has an atmosphere and a charm, and where are you going to get that? You're not going to get that often anywhere, because of the history and the open space." The Art on the Bluffs series runs until Oct. 24, with the exhibit changing every two weeks. The rest of the series features the following artists: Ross Gordon and Amy Roger from July 21 Aug. 1, Mary Lyons and Joanne Merkshammer From Aug. 4 15, Lesha Kokosky and Richard Talbot from Aug. 18 29, Linda Goodrow from Sept. 1 12, Carol Sanders from Sept. 15 26, Lynn Estall from Sept. 29 Oct. 10 and Don Morrison and Rod Collard from Oct. 13 24. The Sovereign House is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 4 p.m. LUCK One summer I made a new friend. It was the best summer. Ever. We don't know what role luck played in the joy of finding a new friend, but we do know we need more than luck to give some deserving kids the same opportunity. Let's turn these memories into a reality for children at risk in our community. Here is your chance to make a difference in a child's life today by supporting The Hamilton Spectator Summer Camp Fund. Donations go directly to the Fund, which pays the camp fees of children whose families are unable to shoulder the cost of even a few days at camp. With your help, we can do it. For donations to the Summer Camp Fund, please call the Hamilton Community Foundation at 905-523-5600 or go online at www.thespec.com/scf or mail to the Summer Camp Fund, c/o The Hamilton Spectator, 44 Frid Street, Hamilton ON L8N 3G. 00000695