Artists have expressed outrage and dismay as the gallery space that gave their fledgeling careers a chance was ordered closed.

The Bermuda Society of Arts, after 47 years of launching the careers of Bermudian artists, was ordered out of its space in City Hall to make way for Corporation of Hamilton offices last Thursday.

The eviction letter received by the Society's co-president's Jean Gardner and Edwin Smith and which gives the gallery six months, has also sent shock waves through Bermuda's art world.

Glen Wilks, an artist and the artist director of Kafu Hair & Gallery on Parliament Street in Hamilton, had his first show at the BSoA as part of the group Mosaic.

He said: "I think it's terrible that they are shutting the space. In a round-about way, though, it shows the level of appreciation of art in the community.

"It's all about how you prioritise things in society. Change is a good thing but it's one thing to change from one space to another. But no space has been set-up."

The BSoA, which now occupies third floor of City Hall, was started 47 years ago by 25 enthusiasts and was originally known as the Society of Artists in Bermuda.

However, it was with the vision of late Sir Gilbert Cooper, a former Mayor of Hamilton, that the Society found a permanent home in City Hall in 1961.

Now as another Mayor of Hamilton, Sutherland Madeiros, sets to close the doors on the gallery, Graham Foster, an artist, said he is not sure what budding artists will do.

He said: "I am totally against it. That is the last gallery left in Hamilton. Five galleries in five years. There is the National Gallery, but that is very specific art.

"The BSoA was a place that nurtured young Bermudian artists and it gave school children and even inmates a place to show their work.

"There was a quick turnover of shows, which kept it fresh and vibrant. This is like another nail being driven into the coffin of Bermuda's cultural life."

Jon Legere, a multimedia artist who also got his start at the BSoA, spoke last night of his concern that it left nowhere for new artists to go.

He said: "On of the great thing I found was that it didn't matter if you were a professional or just starting out.

"They were interested in the artist. Also, having it at City Hall, when you were growing up it was known as the place for the arts.

"It's just a shame and I hope the BSoA is able to find another place."