If art is on your Christmas gift list, the Burnaby Gallery's last show is in progress, and features original paintings and sculptures by well professional artists and past exhibitors, among them Henry Ward, Betsy Mulderig, Graham Foster and Paul Doughty. In addition to the paintings hanging on the walls, viewers can also participate in a silent auction, part proceeds of which will be donated to the Family Learning Centre.

December 24 is Gallery's final day, and also that of its general manager Deborah Harper, who this week paid tribute to all those who have contributed to its two-year existence.

“I want to thank all the artists who have participated over the years that we have been open,” she said.

“We had 20 exhibitions in 24 months. It has been quite an undertaking, and I couldn't have done it by myself. In fact I want to thank all the other fine people who have assisted me over the past two years.”

Kafu Gallery, always known for its innovative ideas, has done it again. This time it is teaming up with Escape nightclub to present a combined package of art and entertainment tomorrow night.

Entitled ‘All in One, Part I', it will begin at Kafu on Parliament Street North with a one-man exhibition featuring the abstracts of Bermudian artist Kevin Morris, whose medium is latex acrylic on canvas. This will be his first solo show, and the opening reception will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thereafter, the scene will shift to the Escape nightclub on Par-la-Ville Road, where paintings by Mr. Morris, Manuel Palacio and Glenn Wilks will be displayed. In addition, Vejay Steede, Kim Dismont Robinson and Alan Smith will present a programme of poetry, and DJ Beatnik will preside on the music scene.

At 11 p.m. “The Flawless Follies”, a popular drag show organised by Dean Parris, will be presented, for which there will be a $5 admission fee. The proceeds from this will be donated to the Alan Vincent Smith Foundation.

“We are trying to expand the dimension of what art is,” Mr. Palacio said of the twin events.

Meanwhile, Mr. Morris' exhibition at the Kafu Gallery will continue through January 20, 2002.

--New York rapper and recording artist Mr. Cheeks is coming to town on December 22 for a live show at the Number One Passenger terminal on Front Street. The cross-generation event is being hosted by Mega Productions, whose stated aim is to unite the community through the enjoyment of various art genres.

Mr. Cheeks' latest hit, ‘Lights, Camera, Action,' is currently at number eight on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart. He was originally known as the frontman who released three hit albums for Lost Boyz; two gold albums released in 1995, and a third in 1997.

Advance tickets ($45) are available from 27th Century Boutique, and will also be sold at the door for $50. Part proceeds will be donated to two charities: C.O.W., which provides assistance for families with challenged children both locally and abroad, and the North Village Community Club's Youth Education Programme, which provides educational assistance and support for Bermuda's youth.

Please note: this event is for persons aged 18 or older. For further information call Gina Bean at 235-5542/298-5391 or fax 293-8693.

--The Bermuda National Gallery (BNG) reminds artists that January 15, 2002 is the deadline for submitting entries for the Bacardi Limited Biennial exhibition. Entries must be accompanied by: the artist's name, address, contact number, photos and biographies, photographic slides, a checklist of artworks, and insurance values.

The two distinguished international jurists will be joined by BNG director Laura Gorham on the panel to judge entries. They are Dr. David Boxer, director emeritus of the National Gallery of Jamaica, and Dr. Virginia Mecklenburg, senior curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Dr. Boxer is one of the Caribbean's most distinguished and influential artists, and has been the driving force behind more than 60 significant exhibitions of Jamaican art as well as several television documentaries on the subject. Dr. Boxer has twice been honoured in his country for his role in the development of Jamaican art.

Dr. Mecklenburg has specialised in 20th Century American art for more than two decades, and has organised a similar number of exhibitions at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. In 1995 she co-authored the prize-winning book, ‘Metropolitan Lives: The Ashcan Artists and their New York.'

February 11 is the day when the judges will view the submitted artworks.

Meanwhile, artists should send completed application forms to: Bermuda Biennial, Bermuda National Gallery, Suite 191, 48 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM11, or deliver them to the BNG at City Hall. For further information call 292-9428, e-mail director@bng.bm or visit the Gallery's website: www.bng.bm

Former Cultural Affairs director Miss Ruth Thomas, MBE will deliver a one-hour lecture at the Bermuda National Gallery today, beginning at 11 a.m. on the topic: ‘Bermuda's Culture and Traditions.' Admission is free for members, $3 for others. For further information: call 295-9428.