After a successful summer school where 24 young students attended workshops run by leading Bermuda artists, Masterworks has now taken its Colouring Book of paintings from the Bermudiana Collection into the Island's primary schools.

With a total of 12 primary schools now in the scheme, Masterworks' Elise Outerbridge says that this latest project has already proved valuable on a number of fronts. She explains that the Colouring Book is a natural outgrowth of those summer workshops.

"We want to get across to the public that our collection is more than just a bunch of paintings on a wall. When children are introduced to these pictures, teachers can use them from an historical aspect, or educationally or as an aid to art technique, so that they get a look at things like brush strokes, colours and so on. The distribution of these books to as many young children as possible fits in well with our educational overview.'' Noting that in some instances, the books have given youngsters their first chance to relate to a real picture, Mrs. Outerbridge says they are especially thrilled to see places they immediately recognise and have perhaps visited.

She points out that Somerset Church, painted by early Bermudian artist Thomas William Tucker in the early 1800s, also teaches children about the Island's environment. "The church itself is recognisable, but there is no flora and fauna, and no other buildings -- quite different from today, but it enables children to preserve the past without its becoming sterile. I certainly wouldn't say that a colouring book is the be-all and end-all,'' she adds. "In fact, in January, Masterworks is hoping to take the original pictures and hang them in City Hall alongside examples of differing interpretations by the children of the various styles of the artists. We have emphasised that this book can be used in a flexible way, not just filling in between the lines.'' The images used in the book range from such Bermudian artists as Sharon Wilson and Otto Trott, to Canadian Jack Bush and American Donald Kirkpatrick.

"The workshops seem to have filled a void, during the summer,'' enthuses Mrs.

Outerbridge, "with parents asking if the classes can continue now that school has started again. We would like to keep them going, maybe a couple of days each week after school and on Saturdays.'' The workshops, led by Tripp West, featured artist/teachers Otto Trott, Bruce Stuart, Will Collieson, Karen Bain and Elizabeth Mulderig, with Anya Davies as co-ordinator.

"They were incredibly successful, with a very broad range of children attending. We were able to give a couple of scholarships for kids who couldn't afford to pay, and it was a very professional set-up with technique being taught. There are some incredibly talented young people here who merit serious tuition.'' Her next task, says Mrs. Outerbridge, is to raise the idea that there are certain areas where the whole mission of the Masterworks Collection could be made more viable, particularly for young people. "Hopefully, I shall be working with the Bermuda Society of Arts to make this a reality.'' SUMMMER WORKSHOP -- Rachel O'Grady (left) and Cornell Castle, working on a huge mural in the Masterworks Summer Workshop. The mural may now be seen at their gallery on Bermuda House Lane in Hamilton.