Reprinted for The Packet, September 25, 2019
by Lester Green
William Avery’s image is captured on canvas by artist Larry Mahoney in this painting entitled “Pop’s Shed.”
A chance encounter by William Avery of Southport and painter, Larry Mahoney of St. John’s resulted in a painting entitled Pop’s Shed. William image was captured by the photographer/painter as he sat admiring the flickering flames from his steel barrel stove when Larry clicked a digital image. This scene would be later captured on canvas and become part of a traveling exhibit by Mahoney. William’s family was unable to purchase the original at the time it was released but purchased the second copy of the painting.
Two years ago William’s daughter, Elaine, meet Mahoney when she was visiting an exhibit at Eastport and saw her Dad’s painting hanging on the wall. She introduced herself and explained that the painting entitled Pop’s Shed was a portrayal of her father. She continued to discuss how her father had passed away without seeing the painting and how she had attempted to purchase the original but was unable to do so at the time. The painter agreed to now sell her the original and her family became owners of two painting.
A short time after purchasing the original, Elaine’s vision was to donate money from the sale of tickets on the second painting to the Southwest Arm Historical Society to help fund a storyboard portraying the history of her hometown of Southport.
The storyboard entitled Southport- Gateway to the Past was unveiled near the community’s Gazebo on Saturday, September 14. The board records the early history of picturesque fishing community that was permanently settled by 1830’s. Prominently displayed in the left hand corner, the image of her Dad sitting on a barrel admiring his fire lost in thoughts from his past.
Local historian, Les Dean suggest that the community, because of its sheltered and strategic location near the once productive inshore fishing grounds of Western Random Head, evolved primarily as an inshore fishing community.
This history, along with religion, education, boat building and other aspects of social life at Southport has been captured by the storyboard funded by Elaine and the Southwest Arm Historical Society.
The storyboard was designed by Robbie Jacobs and placed at the site by volunteers. Rod Hogg, constructed the metal frame and Viv Seward built and placed the stand on location overlooking the harbour.
Elaine Stringer is joined by her son, Lee, and grandson, Liam, alongside the Southport storyboard.
During the unveiling descendents of individuals captured in old photographs on the board gathered as the cloth was dropped by Elaine, her son, Lee, and grandson, Liam.
After the board was blessed by Reverend Ellen Curtis, the families represented gathered around the board for photos with the historical board.
Visitors can now read and reflect on the history of Southport-Gateway to the Sea thanks to Elaine’s vision that was now a reality.
