In the 1980s, when Tom Butterfield was an ad hoc member of the Bermuda Heritage Advisory Committee, he put together two small, separate exhibitions during Heritage Month. Held under the auspices of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, key elements of each were a painting by US artists Andrew Wyeth, and a pencil drawing by Georgia O'Keeffe, which thousands of locals and visitors flocked to see.

Seeing this response, Mr. Butterfield wondered how many more Bermuda paintings by well-known overseas artists were out there in the world. He also realised the importance of a 1979 Act of Parliament waiving duty on paintings done before 1970 — a huge "plus" in repatriating Bermuda art.

In 1987, he approached the then-Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Robert Barritt, with the concept of forming the 'Masterworks Heritage Fund' to repatriate such art, and received the Minister's blessing.

"He encouraged our independence, but we had to look at money-saving ways to make the scheme work, so the 1979 Act was of huge benefit." director Mr. Butterfield remembers. He also brought to the Minister's attention the issue of a ten percent Government tariff on the purchase of foreign currency, which was also waived.

The final hurdle was the cost of insurance, for which Colonial Insurance became — and remains — a willing corporate sponsor. Thus, was the way was paved for the founding of Masterworks in 1987 — the same year in which the first 12 paintings, including a pencil drawing by George Ault, were purchased and repatriated. Exhibitions were held wherever anyone was willing to lend wall space.

The first significant exhibition took place in 1994 at the Windjammer Gallery, with others following wherever "homes" could be maintained, including the Crisson & Hind Gallery, 41 Front Street (above Smith's), and Bermuda House Lane. At one stage, it also shared space at the Bermuda National Gallery.

Meanwhile, a variety of educational and other programmes were created and nurtured, and as exhibitions of art created by established, budding and visiting artists were often packed to overflowing on opening nights.

Among the most notable was a joint exhibition by then-Premier Jennifer Smith and Lady Waddington, wife of then-Governor Lord Waddington, the opening of which was attended by record crowds.

For approximately nine years, openings of the popular 'Artists Up Front... Street' series, featuring the work of young and budding artists, were Friday night fixtures on the social calendar. They still are — in the renamed 'Artist in the Garden' programme in the Botanical Gardens, which are held in conjunction with live music aimed at attracting a wider audience to the world of art.

Meanwhile, the Bermudiana Collection has continued to grow, but without a proper facility in which to display it, the Foundation elected to take it overseas. For the past eight years, the travelling exhibition has been seen in Britain, the US and Canada, and now awaits its home in the new Museum.

Today, there are over 1000 pieces in the Collection, including three Homers, the first of which arrived in 1992. No finite number has been set for future purchases, not least because artists will never stop visiting Bermuda to make art.

The Artist-in-Residence programme, begun in Dockyard in 1997 to bring overseas artists to the Island for inspiration and the introduction of fresh ideas, continues today at its new location at 'Buckingham' in St. George's. During their stay, artists conduct workshops, and end their stay with an exhibition of their work.

1997 also saw the beginning of a working partnership with the Bank of Butterfield, which includes the popular Artfest in the Garden (formerly known as the Festival by the Sea, along Front Street).

This event gives the public an opportunity to enjoy an open air art exhibition with entertainment and refreshments in a safe environment, as artists of all ages and levels of ability display their work, and participate for Quick Art and People's Choice awards.

From the beginning, art education has been a key component in the growth of Masterworks. Despite having no permanent home, one of its earliest projects was 'Artists' Encounters' — art classes for children conducted by well-known local artists such as Bruce Stuart and Chesley Trott — at the former Admiralty House in Spanish Point. Another was the summer programme, 'Art on the Gogh', with children being bussed around the Island to create art en plein air.

Today, Masterworks' juvenile art classes are oversubscribed months in advance, with plans afoot to expand them once the new museum, with a special classroom, is opened next year.

2002 marked the final move to the 35-acre Botanical Gardens, where the Foundation is now headquartered in the historic, 19th Century Arrowroot Factory, to which the new state-of-the-art museum is being added. Thanks to then-Premier Jennifer Smith, the Government graciously granted Masterworks a 21-year plus 21-year lease for a peppercorn rent of $1 per year.

From 2003 HRH the Prince of Wales, a keen watercolourist, has honoured the registered charity with his patronage — something he does only when he can maintain an active interest — and he also wrote the forward to the Bermudiana Collection travelling exhibition catalogue.

Just as there is no limit to the imagination and drive of the Masterworks Foundation, of which the above are only some of the highlights in its 20-year history, so too is the public's support and belief in its aims and objectives — and indeed its passion for the upcoming museum.

"People understand what we are doing. They are attached to the concept and want to be part of it," Mrs. Outerbridge, assistant to the director, says.