?Revival? is not a word commonly associated with Christmas shopping ? unless one is talking about traditions, that is.

Many will remember the highly popular ?small paintings? shows once held at the Heritage House, Windjammer and Desmond Fountain galleries, but with their closure it seemed that the custom had ended.

The good news it hasn?t ? thanks to an enthusiastic group of Bermuda artists who have joined forces to ensure that the annual opportunity to purchase small, affordable paintings, as well as sculpture, pottery and other objects is not lost.

Billed as ?a big show of small works?, the opening of ?Small Paintings for Christmas? will take place at 5.30 p.m. on December 3 at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, and promises to be a festive affair with eggnog, mulled wine and mince pies among the refreshments.

Participating artists are Diana Amos, Eric Amos, Ernst Bauer, Rhona Emmerson, Helen Evans, Graham Foster, Angela Gentleman, Julie Hastings-Smith, Jonah Jones, Sheilagh Head, Kok Wan Lee, Suzie Lowe, Carla Marquart, Christopher Marson, Lynn Morrell, Margaret Potts, Maria Evers Smith, Chesley Trott, Eileen Thorne, Otto Trott, Marion Watlington, Summer Wood and Dr. Charles Zuill.

?It is a good opportunity for the public to see and buy affordable, top quality artwork by some of Bermuda?s premier artists, just in time for Christmas,? Jonah Jones says. ?It will be a substantial show.?

As if that weren?t good news enough, Mr. Jones reveals that the group hopes this year?s revival will become an annual event, like its predecessors.