'When the Bermuda National Gallery's four-part 'Winter Exhibitions 2008' opens to the public on January 28, viewers can expect to enjoy cultural diversity on a very wide scale from the Arctic to Africa to Bermuda. Included in the quartet will be one of the most historically important American collections of Inuit Art; a tribute to the late Byllee Lang, an influential figure in the Island's post-War art scene; 'African Affinities', which explores the African influence on contemporary art; and examples of fine and decorative art from the BNG's revolving exhibition, '350 years of Art In Bermuda'. The historical timeline will reveal the transitions in Bermuda's art, and the turning points in local culture. Cultural Reflections will feature a unique touring exhibition of more than 70 stone sculptures and prints drawn from the extensive collection of Inuit art from Northwestern Michigan College's Dennos Museum Center, in Traverse City, Michigan. It will be complemented by 'Culture on Cloth', featuring wall hangings from the Judith Varney Burch Collection of Arctic Inuit Art.As one of the last surviving hunting cultures native to North America, the Inuit are a vigorous, yet sensitive, people who inhabit the Nunavut territory of Arctic Canada. These two important collections offer visitors to the BNG an opportunity to study the remote Inuit culture through its artistic expressions.The Dennos Museum Center's collection of more than 1,000 works of art by some 80 Inuit artists is recognised as one of the most historically complete collections of contemporary Inuit art in the US. Eugene Jenneman, executive director of the Museum, will attend the official opening of the 'Winter Exhibitions 2008' by the Mayor of Hamilton, Sutherland Madeiros, on January 27.Judith Varney Burch, an internationally recognised expert on Inuit art, currently curates the Inuit art exhibitions at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.. In 1999 she gave the address on Inuit art during the Nunavut Celebration Symposium at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. Ms Burch will visit Bermuda next month to deliver two lectures on Inuit Art and Culture at the BNG a lunchtime lecture on February 6, and a PartnerRe art lecture on February 7. Additional related programming will include a lunchtime lecture by local artist and Inuit art collector Jill Amos Raine on January 30, as well as student workshops on 'Culture on Cloth' on February 9.Tribute To Byllee Lang: Inspirational Artist and Educator is particularly topical, given the recent publicity over the threat to the Bermuda Society of Arts (BSoA) gallery space at the City Hall and Arts Centre. The Canadian-born sculptress, who lived in Bermuda from 1948 until her death in 1966, was among the early members of the Bermuda Art Association, formed in 1947 by Georgine Hill, Sir Stanley Spurling and others, which later evolved into the BSoA. Miss Lang was instrumental in inspiring emerging Bermudian artists of her day, as well as holding Bermuda's first mixed-race art classes in her studios at a time when the schools were still segregated. While best remembered for the reredos she created for the Anglican Cathedral, she also created window displays for A.S. Cooper & Sons Ltd.; prize-winning floats for the Easter Parade, and made costumes and designed sets for local theatrical productions. Andrew Trimingham, her friend and artistic executor, wrote that Miss Lang was "the godmother of every artistic endeavour going".The tribute exhibition will include examples of Miss Lang's sculptural work; archival photographs of her studio; and her art completed in Bermuda and her native Canada; as well as a short documentary by local filmmaker Antoine Hunt.African Affinities will compare pieces from the BNG's African Collection and contemporary works from the Permanent Collection to show the influence of African art, either directly or by highlight affinities, or parallels, between forms and subjects. This exhibition will feature work by Bermudian artists Will Collieson, Graham Foster, Bill Ming, Lynn Morrell, and Kevin Morris.Reflecting on the upcoming exhibitions, BNG director Laura Gorham said they will offer visitors a cultural experience on several levels. "The Inuit exhibits offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of a dynamic culture still in process. It is only in recent years that the Inuit people have used art to both document their past and provide cultural, spiritual and ethnic self-affirmation that has become fundamental to their continued identity and survival. "Byllee Lang contributed so much to Bermuda through her work and her humanity, and we believe this long-overdue tribute will be well received by her friends and former students, in addition to perhaps providing inspiration to a new generation," she said.In terms of African art, Mrs. Gorham said the BNG had always had a close connection to it."African Affinities allows us to examine our African Collection and contemporary art from a new perspective. We believe it will be of particular interest to students studying Black History Month in February."The director expressed the Gallery's appreciation to Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd. for its sponsorship of the new exhibitions. "We are once again extremely grateful for the generous sponsorship of Endurance, and we greatly appreciate their continued support of the arts in this way," she said.'Winter Exhibitions 2008' will continue through April 4. For further information on gallery hours see the Bermuda Calendar.l For further information about the Inuit Collection at the Dennos Museum Center, see web site www.dennosmuseum.org/exhibitions/inuit l For further information about Judith Varney Burch, see web site www.arcticinuitart.coml For further information about Byllee Lang see web site www.bermudabiographies.bm/Bios/bio-lang.html