A fleet of 50 sloops is on its way to Bermuda in search of local artists, thanks to a collaboration between the Bermuda Sloop Foundation and Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.

To showcase the possibilities of what can be done with the miniature fibreglass vessels, artist and jeweller Jennifer Keats has unveiled the first colourful replica of Bermuda’s traditional ship.

“We’re always looking for ways to collaborate with other organisations, and the fit with the Sloop Foundation and ourselves is a good one,” Masterworks curator Elise Outerbridge said.

“With the America’s Cup coming up and all the interest and excitement associated with that, we will have the sloops available for individuals, organisations, schools — whoever chooses to do one.”

Using paint supplied by the Pembroke Paint company, the lightweight sloops commissioned by the organisations will become canvases for the imagination.

The gallery enjoyed great success in 2004 with “Hogge Wild”, when life-size mouldings of the wild pigs from Bermuda’s early days were painted and went up for auction as a fundraiser.

Next year the Sloop Foundation marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of its sloop, Spirit of Bermuda, and Ms Outerbridge said 2017 would likely be the year for the sloop initiative.

“We are enjoying this relationship and collaboration with Masterworks, and look forward to seeing all the finished painted boats, which will be auctioned off to raise funds for both organisations — particularly in these America’s Cup years that highlight sailing, sail training, and Bermuda’s Maritime History,” said Diana Martin, CEO of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation.

Applications are being drafted now: there will be loose guidelines, and the finished sloops will need to be varnished to preserve artists’ handiwork. To learn more, contact Masterworks at 299-4000.