believe all those partypoopers who claim that the new century doesn't actually start until the year 2001).

Sadly, while the Society heirarchy no doubt wanted to end the year on a high, it seems society members let them down.

Actually I'm in two minds about this show. Or rather, I'm not too sure how cruel I should be about it.

It is undoubtedly one of the worst shows that the Society has put on in recent years, but then again the fact that the gallery is packed to the gills -- there are more than 200 works of art on display here by God knows how many artists -- does illustrate that Bermuda's art scene is certainly very much alive and thriving.

Admittedly, the Society does have to perform a bit of a juggling act. On the one hand it has to both satisfy and encourage its members -- after all, they're the ones who pay the annual subscription fee, it's their society. And surely the best way to encourage members is to display their work? On the other hand, the Society also needs to encourage the general public to attend these shows and, more importantly, buy the stuff. Put on a quality show featuring your best artists (and the Society does have some really quality painters) and you disenfranchise half your membership -- which is not what the Society wants or is about.

There is surely a balance to be struck but this exhibition just doesn't do it.

While all these part-time painters will get a kick out of having their work displayed, the gallery-going general public, and I include myself in that category, are in for a torrid time.

Yes, there are exceptions but, with so much art on display, this reviewer found the exceptions few and far between. The end result is that you leave the gallery feeling nothing but disappointment.

This is a great shame because, as I have said earlier and contrary to what some people may think, Bermuda is awash with talented artists. As with churches, the Island seems to have, proportionally, more gifted painters per square yard then anywhere else on Earth. This is marvellous for Bermuda -- but not so marvellous when political correctness, or whatever other philosophy directs this particular society, rejects quality for quantity.

So who stands out in this sad parade of ineptitude? Well, in no particular order, there's a beautiful pencil sketch or two by Dan Dempster and some wonderful pastels by Theresa Airey which are not like pastels at all, more like hand-painted photographs.

Few standouts in Arts Society Winter show Add to the list another collection of softly focused photo-realist images by Jason Jones, some peculiar yet humorous graphic designs by Tony Danisz and a mightily impressive, almost sculptural oil by Vernon N. Clarke, and that's about your lot.

There are probably one or two others that I have overlooked and my apologies to them but generally you get the picture -- pretty scant pickings.

So not an Aladin's cave of treasures then, but rather a Fagin's kitchen of tat and rubbish and frankly, not worth a visit. Oh well, there's always next year.

Gareth Finighan ART REVIEW REV ARTISTS ART