The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) is the proud recipient of a bas relief wood carving, thanks to the generosity of Landmark Trust (Bermuda) Ltd., which commissioned the piece from Canadian sculptor William Page, who travelled to the Island especially for this week?s presentation ceremony.

?Landmark Trust (Bermuda) Ltd. is proud that it is able to support local and non-Bermudian not-for-profit organisations on a regular basis,? its president, Marcus Mahy, said. ?Through a personal friendship between the artist?s mother and myself, Landmark became aware of the beautiful work being done by William. He has produced some exquisite marine studies, and so the idea was born for Landmark to commission him to do an appropriate piece to be donated to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, and be put on permanent display there.?

The piece, which is entitled ?Into the Grass?, is carved from a single piece of curly yellow birch, and features three bonefish cruising among sea grasses, as well as a deliberately hard-to-spot crab, on which the fish are about to dine.

?I often try to have a little unexpected moment built into a piece,? Mr. Page said of the tiny crustacean, ?so you have to go up close and study it. The educational director of the BUEI thought it would be wonderful for kids to have a little study moment trying to locate the crab.?

The professional artist, who is also an Atlantic salmon guide in his native New Brunswick, specialises in fish carvings, and on this occasion chose the curly yellow birch because of its holographic qualities.

?When the viewer moves the light flashes across the piece, just as it would on a bonefish flat,? (the shallow waters where these fish feed) he said.

Mr. Page is particularly gratified that ?Into the Grass? will be on permanent public display because most of his work is privately commissioned and therefore ?disappears into private homes?. A collection of his photographs is, however, displayed in New Brunswick?s Atlantic Salmon Museum.

Surprisingly perhaps, given that the artist?s mother is a frequent visitor to the Island, this was Mr. Page?s first visit here but he vowed it wouldn?t be his last.

?I am going to be returning on a regular basis now because I love it here,? he said. ?I have found a second home.?

Meanwhile, honorary trustee Wendy Tucker, speaking on behalf of BUEI, said: ?We are most grateful to Landmark Trust (Bermuda) Ltd. in choosing us to be the recipient of the unique, handcrafted sculpture of three bonefish. The sculpture enhances our lobby, and all of our visitors are able to enjoy this piece of art, and appreciate the many hours of work it took to complete (it).?

For further information on Mr. Page and his work, visit his website at: www.wtpage.com