Supporters of the local art scene joined together last Saturday to celebrate Masterworks 20th Anniversary.

Lady Vereker, a big supporter of the Masterworks Foundation, joined her husband Governor Sir John Vereker at the bash at Camden House in the Botanical Gardens. She said the anniversary was an important milestone. “In the beginning, it is very hard to garner a lot of support until they see success and I think a lot of people are proud of what (Masterworks) has done,” she said.

While Lady Vereker will be leaving the Island in the autumn she still hoped to have an effect on Masterworks’ global reach. “Masterworks could be a magnet for people to come from all over the world. It could be a real new tourism attraction and certainly do wonders for the art community,” she said.

Director Tom Butterfield founded the Masterworks Foundation on July 14, 1987, and admitted to The Royal Gazette that it was luck which got the foundation past the first year. “We probably, first of all, never thought we would get to 20,” he said.

“It’s a milestone because we have raised millions and millions and millions for service, (youth) programmes, buildings and overseas programmes. We have done it almost entirely on our own.

“Everyone has derived a great sense of achievement and pride from that.”

Masterworks will be heading on to “bigger and better things”, said Mr. Butterfield, including the completion of an $8-million art museum. “We are 20 and still growing,” he said. “We are out of our teens and we are ready to go to the prom.”

According to Mr. Butterfield, there has been a shift in the way people perceive visual arts and people of all stripes and backgrounds have been able to exhibit their art work at Masterworks.

“It’s not just an accomplishment of one dream, it’s an accomplishment of a whole team that have helped put it all together,” he said.

Finance Minister Paula Cox and Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Wayne Perinchief attended the celebration — the main purpose of which was to honour local artists and their work with the Foundation. While only a small group were present for the celebration, there will be a bigger celebration on October 21 open to all Masterworks members.