A US visitor saw red after art chiefs refused to exchange a painting -- almost a year after she bought it.

Myrna Hurwitz, 62, Baltimore, Maryland, claimed she only got one of the two paintings she picked from the former Harbour Gallery in Hamilton, which was run by art dealer Nicholas Lusher for the Bermuda Society of Arts, last November. The other was the wrong painting, she said.

But she insisted she did not notice until months later when she unpacked the tubes to have the pictures framed.

Mrs. Hurwitz claimed she was offered a change of painting or a refund by Bermuda Society of Arts chief Shiela Head -- but that she was later told a refund was not possible.

The Baltimore woman, who left the Island on Friday after a four-day visit, with husband Zelle, 66, said: "I've never been treated like this before -- I've been coming to Bermuda for 42 years, but I don't know if I'll be back now.'' The gallery where Mrs. Hurwitz bought the $300 painting by Bermudian artist Jon Mills closed some time ago.

Ms Head said the artist would have been paid shortly after the sale was made and Mr. Mills was off the Island and could not be contacted.

She added Mrs. Hurwitz was given the chance to look at other paintings by the same artist -- but never took up the offer.

And Ms Head said: "When I first spoke to Mrs Hurwitz, I had no idea the sale was made 11 months ago.

"She didn't appear interested in having a comparable painting by the same artist.

"I don't think even if we wanted to we could make a refund at this stage.

"We bent over backwards to do the nice thing out of goodwill, but frankly, we don't have to do anything.'' Ms Head added: "Nicky Lusher is a consummate professional -- it's highly unlikely he would take two paintings out of two frames and have the wrong painting.''