mounted a special show of some of its leading artists for the Christmas season.

Says gallery proprietor Mrs. Susan Curtis, "We have received some wonderful new work by local and overseas artists and thought it would be nice to showcase some of this work, so we have called it `Christmas Selections'.'' Special emphasis goes to new works by noted sculptor Desmond Fountain, whose lifesize bronze of `Laura', shown kneeling beside a lily pool, takes pride of place in the gallery.

"This piece is actually the exception in this show,'' explains Mrs. Curtis, "as most of the work we are exhibiting this time is miniature. It's what Desmond calls `a living experience -- off the pedestal and on to the coffee table!''' Other pieces include some `narrative' pieces, such as the charming `Duet', which shows a girl at the piano and a girl with violin, worked in bronze to one-sixth scale, and a lifesize study of a young boy entitled, `One Shoe Off, One Shoe On.

' Desmond Fountain, a Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, whose work is featured in many international collections, is perhaps best known in Bermuda for his statue of Sir George Somers.

There is also the comparatively rare opportunity to view Fountain's pictures, with two pastel studies of nudes on view.

Also representing local art are major works by Sheilagh Head, Diana Amos and Bruce Stuart, all of whom are accorded regular solo exhibitions with the gallery, as well as a trio of photographic studies of Bermuda by photographer Ian MacDonald Smith. Although she is modest about this, there are also some fine oils on view, painted by Susan Curtis herself. Also on show are recent paintings by Amy Evans and Helen Daniel.

Art enthusiasts will also welcome the chance of viewing new work by English artist Spencer Hodge, who has been described by HRH Prince Philip as one of the world's best wildlife painters, and well-known American Impressionist Sam Barber.

Providing yet more contrast are the delicate watercolours of Charlie Parsons, a retired doctor from Massachusetts who regularly paints in Bermuda, and another watercolourist, Karen Phillips Curran, whose architecturally slanted Bermuda studies have also been showcased in solo shows at the Windjammer.

`LAURA' is the title of this lifesize sculpture by Desmond Fountain, currently on show at the Windjammer Gallery. Also shown in the background are his pastel nude study and two oils by Sheilagh Head.