The opening of the Gombey Gallery at 129 Front Street is the centrepiece of what activist Gavin (Sundjata) Smith describes as a public awareness campaign entitled 'I am Gombey' to build greater appreciation for Bermuda's unique gombey heritage. The gallery aims to highlight how indigenous arts impact local and global culture, and the inaugural exhibition features works by two Bermudian wood carvers: Carlton Butler and Duvall (Dagga) Spencer.

Mr. Butler is a prolific wood carver of some 34 years' experience whose work ranges from "the abstract to the mundane, the sacred to the erotic". He is credited with introducing a generation of local craftsmen to the enjoyment of woodcarving for expressionist purposes.

Mr. Spencer is a dedicated protog?e of Mr. Butler who concentrates on iconic gombey works. His signature pieces include the multi-faceted 'Totem Towers' and the two-dimensional 'Heraldic Glyphs'. In addition to one-of-a-kind pieces, Mr. Butler has also pioneered a mass production system for saleable items using modern industrial carpentry applications.

Viewing wood carving as "the universal medium of indigenous culture", Mr. Smith says the tradition in Bermuda represents "a part of the primordial dialogue between humanity and the environment".

In addition to carvings by Mr. Butler and Mr. Spencer, the Gombey Gallery exhibition is also featuring gombey paraphernalia provided by Mr. Alan Warner of the Warner Gombeys, and Cuban wood carvings from Mr. Murray Brown's private collection.

Gallery hours are: 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. For further information ( 296-2439.

lMeet the authors

Friends of the College Library (FOCL) kicks off the first of its 'Meet the Authors' evenings tomorrow in the Bermuda College library, when the focus will be 'Bermuda's history through the eyes of its people'. In attendance will be Jolene Bean, John Cox, Sandra Taylor Rouja and James Smith, each of whom has been selected for their particular area of expertise.

Ms Bean holds a Master's degree in history and teaches history at the Bermuda College. She is researching the women's suffrage movement in Bermuda.

Mr. Cox is the author of 'The History of the Cox Family in Bermuda' (revised and reprinted as 'Lords of the Marshes'), and 'Onion in the Snow'. He has also compiled and edited a number of other books, and is currently completing 'Bermuda Lore'. Mr.Cox serves on the Bermuda National Trust and Bermuda Historical Society committees.

Sandra Taylor Rouja is the author of two poetry books, 'The St. George's Dream' and 'Bermuda Cottage Diary', and has written for the Bermuda Sun, The Bermudian and RG magazines.

James Smith holds a Master's degree and is the author of 'A New Dawn: an analysis of the Emancipation Experience in Bermuda' and 'Slavery in Bermuda'. He is a part-time consultant to the Cabinet Office.

According to SOCL president Stuart Hayward, Saturday's event will be an excellent opportunity for the community to learn more about Bermuda's history and the way it is written through discussion with the authors, and he is encourages everyone to attend.

Author evenings are being arranged to celebrate FOCL's tenth anniversary year, and the first one is being dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Archie Hallett, both of whom have written important books devoted to Bermuda's history. These include: 'Early Bermuda Wills: 1629-1835' and 'Bermuda in Print: a Guide to the Printed Literature on Bermuda'. Dr. Hallett was also president of the Bermuda College when FOCL was formed, and all of his publications are available at the College Library.

Saturday's 'Meet the Author' begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $2 for FOCL member and $5 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served.

Future topics will be: 'Bermuda's Arts' (November); 'Bermuda's Sustainable Future' (January 2004); Bermuda's Faiths - the role of spirituality in Bermudian Society' (March 2004) and 'Bermuda's Youth: Old and New Views' (May 2004).