The eviction notice handed to the Bermuda Society of Arts could well spell the death knoll for the group.

In December, the Corporation of Hamilton told BSoA it had six months to find a new home because the Corporation would be using the large space in City Hall for its offices.

But the Society hopes that pressure form the public will cause the Cityto reconsider.Co-chair of BSoA's governing body Jean Gardner said currently the Society would not survive if the eviction goes ahead

."We offer a lot of things to a lot of different people and a lot of different organisations and that will be lost if we cannot preserve this space or find alternate space, preferably in the city limits,"she said

."I think that unless we can find a benefactor or champion to come forward for us and offer suitable alternative space this is going to be the end of the Bermuda Society of Arts.

"It is a very sad thing for me to say, but Ido feel that it is the reality of the situation."

BSoA has called City Hall its home for 47 years and was named the Best Art Gallery in this year'sBest of Bermuda Gold Awards.

Exhibits are put on by a variety of charities, organisations and Government departments, such as the Westgate Correctional Facility, as well as Society members.

Since BSoAwent public with the eviction news, politicians, residents and artists have expressed their anger with the Corporation's decision.

Minister of Culture Dale Butler threatened to bring legislation to overhaul the Corporation unless it revoked the eviction notice. Government MPDame Jennifer Smith has also expressed her outrage.

"What we would want most is to keep the current groundswell moving forward," Ms Gardner said yesterday. "We have had a phenomenal response from all sectors of the community. We would urge everyone who is an appreciator of arts, a budding artist, a professional artist, anyone who has purchased art to decorate their home or offices, anyone who in any way has benefitted from the Bermuda Society of Arts, to come forward with letters to the Corporation.

"We are hoping that we can persuade the Mayor who is a reasonable person and who does seem to understand that art is an important thing within the community to rethink their decision.

"Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros told The Royal Gazette the gallery was needed for office space, because the alternative, adding an extension to the building was too costly.

Mr. Madeiros said: "The members felt there was space available to them at no cost where the Gallery is and thought this would be acting in the best interests of taxpayers rather than spending taxpayers' money on new offices.

" But Duncan Hall, who sits on the governing body, said the Society is of national importance. "The Corporation says its mandate is to act in the best interest of the taxpayers of Hamilton but in fact the Bermuda Society of Arts has a much wider mandate than that,"he said.

"We serve all the people of Bermuda, from Dockyard to St. George's and everywhere in between, so this isn't just a Hamilton issue.

"This is an issue of national importance affecting the arts and culture of Bermuda.BSoA members spoke to The Royal Gazette on why the society is important to Bermudian life - watch it on the web at www.royalgazette.com.