Politicians, residents and artists expressed their anger yesterday at the eviction of the Bermuda Society of Arts from its City Hall Gallery after 47 years. Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith joined the chorus of dismay at the Corporation of Hamilton's decision, calling on the public to petition members to renew the tenancy.

The St. George's North MP said: "I had my first exhibit at BSoA as a member soon after returning from Art School. I have been a member ever since and I particularly support their school art shows as well as the various annual exhibitions. I am also a Trustee of the Bermuda National Gallery, so I cannot help but think the same fate could befall us.

"I am therefore most concerned that the members of the Corporation would take this action, rather than considering the building of an addition at the back of City Hall. This project has been under discussion for some time and offers a 'win-win' outcome for all concerned."

Dame Jennifer said: "I ask all the voters within the Corporation of Hamilton city limits to make their wishes known on this issue and I trust that the cultural arts will prevail."

Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler yesterday threatened to bring in legislation to overhaul the Corporation of Hamilton unless it revoked its eviction notice. Members have given the BSoA until June 30 to vacate City Hall.

Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros yesterday told The Royal Gazette the gallery was needed for office space. He said an extension to City Hall would cost between $600,000-$700,000.

Mr. Madeiros said: "The members felt there was space available to them at no cost where the Gallery is and thought this would be acting in the best interests of taxpayers rather than spending taxpayers' money on new offices."

Mr. Butler, however, said the decision to evict Bermuda's oldest arts society was "short-sighted and borders on criminal".

Declaring the Corporation's rules and ordinances "outdated", the Minister said: "With the Corporation behaving in this sort of manner, it raises the question as to whether there should be some type of legislative change."

Yesterday, artists and residents seemed to echo his condemnation, with Bermudians now living overseas even contacting The Royal Gazette to protest. Lesley Swiacke, of Georgia, US, said: "I am appalled at the decision of the Corporation of Hamilton and agree with Mr. Butler. I grew up in Bermuda, living there for the first 27 years of my life.

"I remember the Hamilton Hotel and fire, and how proud Bermuda was to have such a wonderful City Hall with the Bermuda Art Association (the former BSoA) included. The arts are important and enjoyed by young and old alike, residents and tourists.

"This decision made by the Corporation of Hamilton is a terrible tragedy, and I trust that some other alternative will be found."

Laura Bell, a 31-year-old assistant editor of a publishing company, said: "I first exhibited at the Bermuda Society of Arts as a student in the Senior Schools' Art Exhibition that the Duke of Edinburgh toured during the Queen's last visit to Bermuda.

"It was a tremendous honour for me to shake his hand and nervously answer his questions, and undoubtedly a huge boost for my future artistic ambitions.

"Since then, I've shown there fairly regularly and have had a solo exhibition in the Edinburgh Gallery as well as joining in several group and members' shows.

"As an artist and now as a vice-president of BSoA, it is doubly distressing to me that the Corporation of Hamilton has made this decision and I implore them to reconsider it."

Ms Bell, of Southampton, added: "It is the only major art gallery in the City of Hamilton in which artists — both amateur and professional alike — are able to sell their works and which tourists are able to view contemporary local art. Finding a similar quality space in the city would be next to impossible and closing the BSoA doors after 55 years is simply unthinkable."

Artist Paul Clinton, of St. George's, said: "I read with a mixture of disgust and amusement the Corporation's plan to annex the BSoA for office space. I surrendered to a life in the plastic arts at a tender age and exhibited work at City Hall during formal training at Mount Allison — culminating with several solo exhibits in the 1990s.

"And while I no longer exhibit locally, I believe that to close this space would be an act of extreme folly. A truly risible decision."

Meanwhile Molly Smith, 87, said: "I started painting in the 1980s and held my first solo exhibition in the gallery, which was opened by the international artist Sam Morse-Brown. I served on the BSoA governing body for about eight years, and I think to close the gallery down is an absolute disaster and a tremendous loss to the entire community. The City Hall building is a work of art in itself and it is absolutely criminal to turn the gallery into offices."

Mrs. Smith, of Pembroke, added: "The Bermuda Society of Arts has been an organisation which promotes racial harmony.

"All the members are united in a common goal which is a unifying thing in itself. It kept me in touch with the art world and other artists, and has been very helpful to my career."

Derek Fisher, 46, of Hamilton Parish, currently has a photographic exhibition in Studio A. He said: "This is my first solo exhibition and the gallery has helped me with general exposure and in getting my name out there. What I think about the closure is not fit for print. Where are artists, especially the smaller artists, going to go to expose their works? This is a great location in the centre of town. Where will we present new artists and talent to the public?"

Last night Jean Gardner and Ed Smith, co-chairs of the BSoA's governing body, said: "All of us at the Bermuda Society of the Arts are grateful for the widespread support that we have received since this news became public.

"We have received a great number of telephone calls and emails from a wide cross-section of the community.

"Our members and supporters are upset, of course, but we have also received pledges of support from politicians, business people, the leaders of other arts organisations in Bermuda, as well as from people Island-wide who believe that the arts are a positive force in our community."