An art show with a difference opens in Masterworks? Rose Gallery this evening.

Visiting US artist-in-residence David Samuel will not be presenting oils, pastels or watercolours. Instead, he will combine his wood carving skills with painting in exhibition entitled ?Dioramas by David: Island Memories Rendered in Wood?.

A retired educator who spent 30 years working in New York City?s public schools system, 12 of them as an elementary school principal, Mr. Samuels once studied oil painting under Isaac Sayer at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and also took a variety of night courses in art.

Since then he has broadened his artistic interests considerably, and is largely self-taught.

It was after he and his wife Evelyn moved to Port Lucie, Florida and Mr. Samuel joined the Treasure Chest Woodcarvers Association that he decided to combine his woodcarving and painting skills and produce his distinctive dioramas.

Inspired by scenes and experiences from his rich life, the dioramas incorporate a wide variety of elements ranging from local neighbourhoods to foreign relatives.

Mr. Samuel?s dioramas are currently on display at the American Visionary Arts Museum in the Race, Class and Gender exhibit in Baltimore, Maryland following which they will be on loan to the Revolving Museum in Massachusetts.

Tonight?s official opening and book signing begins at 5.30 p.m. Tomorrow Mr. Samuel will hold a book signing at Masterworks in the Botanical Gardens from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and an artist?s workshop at 11 a.m. For further information ( 236-2950. His exhibition continues through September 15.