Mike Healey opens at New Heritage Gallery

Vibrant colour is the hallmark of visiting artist Mike Healey's solo exhibition of Bermuda paintings, which opens to the public at the New Heritage Gallery on Church Street on Saturday. His medium is oil on canvas or board, and his paintings are indicative of an artist who has explored the Island from one end to the other during multiple visits here, during which he has captured a variety of elements which he has found to be particularly inspiring. There are panoramic views of Jews Bay and several from the heights of Queen's View in Southampton. Paintings of beaches define the contours of the Bermuda landscape, and have been captured in late evening using a palette of cobalt blue, lilac, turquoise, and the warm glow of yellow ochre and Naples yellow. In addition, there are spinnaker-bedecked sailboats, historic landmarks, and local architecture.

Mr. Healy is a painter of the Scottish School who studied at the Glasgow School of Art, during which he won scholarships and awards, and went on to become a senior lecturer from the early 1980s to 1997.

Today, Mr. Healey is a professor on the faculty of art, architecture and design at Britain's University of Lincoln.

Essentially a plein air painter, his confident brushwork captures his direct response to Nature, and the sensation of heightened colour through fleeting moments of sunshine.

Mr. Healey's exhibition continues through April 23. For further information see the Bermuda Calendar.

National Gallery attractions

'I Can Fly: Kids and Creativity' is the title of today's lunchtime lecture at the Bermuda National Gallery. The 25-minute video will explore the creative process in art, music, song, pottery and dance. Hosted by teenager Austin Eve Irving, the show features artists Faith Ringgold,Jacob Lawrence and Elizabeth Catlett, in addition to performances by internationally acclaimed theatrical troupes, 'Blue Man Group, de la Guarda and Stomp! Screen time is 12.30 p.m. and admission is free.

Tomorrow is the last day to see the Winter exhibitions. See the Bermuda Calendar for further details. Thereafter, the Gallery will be closed until Monday, April 12.

Gilbert & Sullivan Society auditions

l Auditions for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's next production, 'Into the Woods' (music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine) will be held at the Bermuda School of Music on Trott Road from April 21, 22 and 23 between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. To make an appointment call Mrs. Marjorie Stanton at 295-3218. Bring your own song and music. Audition pieces are available at Daylesford Theatre Monday to Friday from 5.30 p.m. The production will have a cast of between 19 and 24, and take place from October 7-16.

Artist seeks digital camera

To help him in his progress as an artist, Troy Landy, whose joint exhibition with wood carver Milton Hill is currently underway at the Masterworks Gallery on Bermuda House Lane in Hamilton, would welcome the donation of a second-hand digital camera. A quadriplegic, Mr. Landy paints mainly from photographs, and he also has a computer, so a digital camera would be a great asset. Anyone who can help should ( 293-7897.