Four of the Island's most interesting artists are joining forces for a very special art show which opens this weekend at the Arts Centre at Dockyard.

Entitled, appropriately enough, "Four Men'', the quartet consists of Paul Doughty, sculptor; David Mitchell, master furniture craftsman; Dr. Charles Zuill, artist; and David Morell, metalsmith/jeweller. As the list implies, the show should be one of refreshing variety, staged by a quartet of men who, long ago, established their credentials in terms of creativity and craftsmanship.

Mr. Doughty, who primarily works in wood and stone, will also be showing some paintings -- a series of five gouaches on paper which he describes as "abstract, surreal pieces that are shaped and carved in relief and then painted. With his last one-man show staged in November 1995 in conjunction with the `Growing' exhibition in the main gallery at the Society of Arts, Mr.

Doughty says he is diversifying "more and more'' into painting as well as sculpture.

In this show, he will be showing four pieces of sculpture. A graduate of Parson's School of Design in New York, his work has been seen in several group shows, and he has recently received a major commission from the Bank of Butterfield.

"I would like to see more public art in Bermuda,'' he proclaims. "Apart from a couple of pieces by Desmond Fountain and the Longtails on Front Street by Harry Lima, Bermuda is almost completely devoid of public art. This is a great pity as I think there is great potential for large-scale work on this Island.'' David Mitchell graduated with an honours degree in Furniture Design from Kingston-upon-Thames Polytechnic and continued his practical education as an apprentice carriage builder and wheelwright in Devon before returning home to set up his own business, entitled Woodart. His spectacular furniture designs are to be found in Government House, Camden and in many corporate office and private homes. He made the case which housed the glass Bermuda lilies presented to the Queen on her visit here two years ago. Mr. Mitchell is one of the co-founders (with his wife, Emma) of the Arts Centre and has acted as technical director for many exhibitions at the Bermuda National Gallery.

Dr. Charles Zuill, who obtained his doctorate from New York University, is a professor of art at the Bermuda College and chairman of the Bermuda Arts Council. He participated in the inaugural exhibition at the Arts Centre and is well known for his solo and group shows within the Island's artistic community. Dr. Zuill, who will be showing more of his "mysterious and magical earth series'', has recently been painting extensively in the US as well as Bermuda.

David Morell is a leading metalsmith who is manager of Trimingham's jewellery workshop. In this show, he will be exhibiting copper bowls, silver candlesticks and letter openers.

"In the course of my work, I normally work on a very small scale, so this is a welcome chance to work for myself and to experiment a little,'' he explains.

"These are the things that I normally have the opportunity to create, so it is quite exciting for me.'' A frequent exhibitor at the Arts Centre, Mr. Morell served a five-year jewellery apprenticeship with Eaton and Wrighton Co. Ltd. in Birmingham.

During his six years at Birmingham School of Jewellery and Silversmithing, he won many awards, including the City and Guilds Certificate in Diamond Mounting.

"Four Men'' will be officially opened by Ruth Thomas at the Arts Centre at Dockyard on Sunday, February 23 from 5.30 to 7 p.m. Normal opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.