TIME to spare this weekend? Art lovers might want to pay a visit to Masterworks' gallery in Bermuda House Lane.

On display tomorrow ? a summer extravaganza of original art by some of the island's residents. And as an added attraction, a portrait artist will be on-site throughout the afternoon.

"We are celebrating our Summer Extravaganza," explained Masterworks' Deidre Furtado. "We'll be having a sale of original art featuring art by such artists as Chris Marson, Otto Trott, Billy Gringley, Rhona Emmerson, Kok Wan Lee, Michael Cacy, Molly Smith, Karen Kell, Jacqui Woolley, Jennifer Stobo and more."

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet cedar crafter Milton Hill and beaded jewellery artisan, Jessica Krindler.

And, on hand to draw portraits will be artist Vernon Clarke. Though well-known on the island for his art work, Mr. Clarke is not as widely recognised locally as a portrait artist. He says however, that he's been doing it for years.

"It goes back to school," he explained. "I used to sit down my schoolmates and draw them and, when I was in the Army I did the same thing. I've always done it ? buddies, my parents, my brothers, friends and girlfriends. When I was in the prison service, it was the same thing. So really it's been a life-long focus for me artistically."

Although he's previously used charcoal, pencil, oils, pen and ink for portraits, Mr. Clarke intends to limit his drawings tomorrow to one medium.

"Charcoal is quick and erasable," he explained of his choice. "It's very facile. There's no mixing, no blending and so forth."

The average portrait takes between 15 minutes and half an hour to complete, he added.

Mr. Clarke said he was willing to turn his hand to capturing anyone's image, but recommends that in the interest of time, parents wanting portraits of children might not receive them on that same day.

"I love drawing children but, depending on their age, I prefer to draw them from photographs," he said. "Children move around a lot. It's hard for them to keep still for any period of time. So I will have my camera there with me so I can shoot their picture and mail the completed portrait to their parents at a later date."

Masterworks' Summer Extravaganza opens at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the gallery, located at 97 Front Street. For more information, telephone the gallery at 295-0486.