Why go see an art show? Well for many reasons. It's a cool way to just relax and see what our creative, talented locals have to offer.

This week was very busy for the arts and there is lots going on. The Bermuda Society of Arts' (BSoA) juried members show opened recently and we thank His Excellency & Mrs. Masefield for once again attending our show; always great supporters of the arts.

I generally love all art and appreciate most attempts at it. I would like to point out some work that caught my eye, not as a critic, but as president of the BSoA. For me, they are the best in show.

First, Joan Aspinal's "Road Toad". I like her work always; it's violently bright. Joan loves colour as much as I do.

Her work always attracts me from across the room and she puts humour in her work. Grant Hall's "night before Christmas' oil on canvas is very moody and dark. I like the use of paint layered over more paint, and the use of the colour. It sometimes explains where the title came from, and from the title you can also read into art, but here is a piece that could use a close-up look.

I mean close. I like looking two inches away from the canvas. Oil is very revealing. It will tell you how much confidence, our lack of, the artist had when he our she touched it.

Margaret Simmons' acrylic "watermelon" is an awesome display of light. Varied use of the same colour layered in different shades make this a brilliant piece to see again and again. Lisa Rego. I must confess I like everything that Lisa does. I like the way her colours look strong by themselves.

Here we have more layers of colour and strong contrast not only with colour, but the lack of colour, and translucent use of the paint. Lisa is one of Masterworks `artists up front street' who did a lot of work this summer. If you haven't seen it, you are truly missing something.

I'm always interested in how white people paint people of colour. Well, by that I mean Black folks, she does it well. Lisa's work is full of admiration for all aspects of her subject. The black people in her painting are just as beautiful as the green wall or the blue skies.

If you have recently attended any of the shows at the BSoA, you would have seen one great artist by the name of Parl Farshi. I don't want to confuse you as this is as much a review on things I has some of the sexiest work I've seen. I absolutely love what she did in collaboration with Kim Dismont Robinson in the "wavelength" show at Dockyard back in February, the fusion of poetry and visual art.

Sarah Hughes' photographs are like windows to the world. I especially like `Diving door'. This piece has the most beautiful matting and framing.

Peter Lapsley, also one of Masterworks `artists up front street' has been busy as well. Easter lily #7 - cool name - has a beautiful shadow in the composition.

I like all of what he did with that space. It becomes more than just the lily for me. Art is seldom what you see but more of what you feel in the space and time that you're in, (small art talk).

Judith Davidson's `Love' Royal Palm spathes, is a perfect example of art meaning something different to everyone. I like the association of love with the strong contrast of back & white. Jennifer Lapsley's little sculpture slate and stained glass, "Paget Marsh" is very creative. I like pieces that children gravitate towards and ask how they do that.

This piece has that Diedre Furtado. My mom, when she saw her work, asked me why don't I do work like that instead of painting nudes? Moms, I tell you... But she is always asking for one of her pieces. I will have to ship one to her soon. It is always good to see participation by some of our very professional artists.

Robert Bassett is well represented in this show. I was amazed to find out that most people know Robert, but don't know that he has a beautiful art gallery on Reid Street. You should check him out after the society show. Frank Dublin, another of Masterwork's artists' up front street has some of the best work I've seen him do this year. At his one man show, Frank expressed a wonderful attitude towards art.

He told me at his show that he is not eager to sell work, but would like for people to come and enjoy the work. Here is a chance to see a great artist's work if you missed the show at Front Street. Photographers were well represented in the show. Charles Anderson's presentation is a perfect example.

The best in show went to Dan Dempster, if you have already seen Dan's work, you'd easily recognise if despite the fact that this work is always different. It's always uniquely his and always full of stories and imagination. I remember him talking about the sound the rock makes in one of his pieces. I never gave too much thought to the sound of a composition, but now I do. I like strange artists.

Dan is right up there. His work makes me think, not just look. Edwin M. E. Smith's acrylic "Somerset" Is worth a second look. I've seen this piece before. I like what he is doing to stretch the idea that there is more to painting than using a canvas.

Visitors and locals would like to know that both our art groups have a nice gift shop of local and different artwork and gifts to buy. There is stuff to do. Come out and support the art. If you have any question we, the Bermuda Society of Art. the National Gallery, Masterworks and the Art Centre at Dockyard would like to encourage better communication and education about art, and assist you in any way possible.

Stop by or give us a call. We're in the book.