The Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard (BACD) has again joined forces with the Elbow Beach hotel's Seahorse Grill to showcase the work of its member artists on the walls of the popular Paget restaurant, where it can be enjoyed not only by visitors and locals alike, but also purchased by the diners.

"A lot of the hotel guests stay for five or six days, and ostensibly never leave the property, so it is nice that we can bring the Bermuda Arts Centre to them," artist Jonah Jones says, speaking on behalf of the BACD.

"The maitre d' sends people to us at Dockyard, and we in turn send people to the Seahorse Grill, so it is a symbiotic relationship. The concept began last year, and was a huge success for both the Arts Centre and the Seahorse Grill, so we are continuing it again this year, but this time it is larger and there are more and different artists participating."

According to guidelines suggested by the hotel, the selected art will not be avant garde but designed for universal appeal.

Among the participating artists are: Chris Marson, Chesley Trott, Graham Foster, Melony Kendell, Chris Grimes, Mary Potts, Diana Amos, Rhona Emmerson, and Lynn Morrell. They will be exhibiting oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings, sculpture and textiles.

In preparation for tomorrow night's (Thursday, January 24) opening reception, the mixed media art works are already in place, and Mr. Jones says, "They look wonderful".

Equally delighted is Elbow Beach director of operations, Donald Bowman, who says: "We are very excited to launch the Spring '08 'Taste of Art' collection at the Seahorse Grill. This season we have over 60 pieces of art on display reflecting a broad range of Bermuda's artistic talent. The pieces are varied and vibrant, and reflect the Bermudian style of the Seahorse Grill.

"The same way we pair food with wine, our friends at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard have done a wonderful job of pairing their pieces with the different areas of the restaurant, whether on the terrace, in the bar, in the atrium or right by our display kitchen.

"There is a terrific variety of media used this season — from oils and water colours to textiles, and even wood carvings. We are especially pleased with this mix as it is reflective of the variety served on our ever-changing menu in the restaurant.

"The 'Taste of Art' programme launched last March has proved to be a great success, which gives us the opportunity to showcase the work of local artists alongside our talented culinary artists in the kitchen to our Island visitors.

"Our guests have bought a great number of pictures which have been on display in order to take a memory of Bermuda home with them, while others have simply enjoyed the opportunity to appreciate a taste of Bermuda's local art scene without having to leave the resort."

Sales of work will be processed, and where necessary packed, by the BACD, and as sales occur the gaps will be filled by more art.