With all galleries occupied at the Bermuda Society of Arts, visitors to the four exhibitions have a great deal of art to enjoy.

In Studio A, students who attend Von-Rica Leonardo's VonArt School on weekends, are exhibiting their work for the first time — and surprising many with the quality of their painting, considering that they range in age from nine to 14.

"It's very exciting," nine-year-old Chynia Rochester said of her participation. "I enjoy art and I paint a lot. I want to be an artist some day."

Eleven-year-old Zorie Eve was "very proud" to see her work on exhibition in an official gallery, as was 13-year-old Lezlie Bailey, who finds painting "very relaxing".

Zoe Williams, 14, said she was particularly proud to be participating in the show because "it was something that I did on my own time". She has always enjoyed drawing, and said she learned a lot in Mrs. Leonardo's class.

For her part, Mrs. Leonardo, who is also the art teacher at Prospect Primary School, praised her students for their achievements.

"My children love art," she said. "They are all at different levels, and in some cases they are exceptional, particularly with water colours. All of my students start with water colours, which is very difficult, but they are very, very good."

Their mixed media exhibition consists of some 18 pieces, two of which, 'Colours with a Voice' and 'Colour Girls' — both acrylics on canvas — were collaborative works created by the students and their teacher. They are being sold by a silent auction now in progress (starting price $150), with part-proceeds going to Teen Haven.

"I always like to give back to the community," Mrs. Leonardo says of the gesture.

Bermuda High School art teacher Dan DeSilva's solo exhibition, 'Glances', in Studio B, is his first in four years because he was preoccupied with building his home. His medium is acrylic on canvas, and his subject matter is architecture and flora found around the Island, but this time the artist said he has "taken a step forward" in his work.

"In the past I have been a bit simpler in terms of position and execution. Now, instead of breaking a subject down into a really simple design, I have tried to give it more of a sense of character," he said. "I am pleased with the execution, and I am happy where I am right now. I am also looking forward to moving forward."

Mr. DeSilva is exhibiting 15 paintings, in one of which his new home is featured.

The Onions gallery is filled with the juried work of BSoA members, with four artists being singled out for prizes.

To her surprise and delight, Rhona Emmerson's oil painting, 'Southlands' was, in the judges' opinion, 'Best in Show'. The win was particularly special to Mrs. Emmerson because she had been away, and was only able to submit one painting which she collected from the framers and delivered straight to City Hall at the very last moment.

Along with fellow members of the Plein Air Group, Mrs. Emmerson received official permission to paint at 'Southlands', something she has done from many perspectives. It is a property which she finds "absolutely magical" in its beauty, particularly the views up and down the driveway, one of which turned out to be the winning painting.

"I was stunned, amazed and delighted to receive 'Best in Show', and I thank the judges for their good taste," she said.

The news that her acrylic on canvas, 'Banana Patch Chatter', had won first prize was greeted with "disbelief and pleasure" by Janet Carew.

"It was very nice to be recognised," she said. "There were some very, very good artists in the show. To place amongst them was really, really encouraging, and I am grateful."

Ms Carew, a chartered accountant by profession, paints in her spare time, and tends to concentrate on land and seascapes. She first exhibited a painting in last year's Masterworks/Bank of Butterfield art festival in the Botanical Gardens, and won first prize in the adult non-professional class. This, she said, encouraged her to pursue her art.

Abby McCahery's oil on canvas portrait earned her second prize, the news of which was such a surprise that she couldn't stop shaking.

"I couldn't even think properly," she recalled. "It was the best night of my life. I was so happy I couldn't take anything in. It means a lot to me."

Miss McCahery only began painting a year ago, and likes doing portraits of people and animals. She paints "as much as possible" and takes lessons with professional artist Vernon Clarke.

She entered her first portrait in last year's Masterworks/Bank of Butterfield art festival, where it won third prize in the adult category. Now her second portrait has also won a prize, and she is working on a third which she hopes to enter in next year's Biennial at the Bermuda National Gallery.

Ms Carew, a chartered accountant by profession, paints in her spare time, and tends to stick to land and seascapes. She first exhibited a painting in last year's Masterworks/Bank of Butterfield art festival in the Botanical Gardens, and won first prize in the adult non-professional class, which encouraged her to pursue her art.

"I hope painting is something I will be able to do for the rest of my life," she said.

Well-known professional artist Sheilagh Head was the third prize winner with her oil on canvas, 'Grape Bay'.

"I would give up all the glory just for five minutes of good feedback from the jury," she said. "There is so little feedback, and you don't create art in a vacuum."

l All of the above exhibitions end on Tuesday.