When last I reviewed a Bermuda Arts Centre exhibition, I wrote that many of their regular members were stuck in a rut. I don't know what effect that statement had on the membership or whether it influenced them at all, but this I know, the present exhibition is a considerable improvement over the last one. I hope, though, that this is only a beginning of good things to come.

The current show is another theme show, that of "Journeys". It seems though, that the theme is broad enough to allow for all kinds of interpretation. Whatever the case may be, many did give it their artistic best and their efforts have paid off with a show that is substantially more interesting than many I have seen at the Arts Centre of late.

There are 64 works by 22 artists, in this show. Of these, several stand out. Lynn Morrell's "Tread Softly", is notable. It is a fabric wall-hanging that has mostly a black background. Running across the composition are footprints and the only thing that I can think of, is that the artist must have stepped in bleach and then walked on the fabric.

Molly Godet has a watercolour looking down Joell's Alley from Church Street in Hamilton. What is so striking about this view is the vivid yellow gabled end of a building , which is in shocking contrast with the surrounding pink architecture. It seems from what I have seen of Ms Godet's paintings, that this is the kind of quirky scene that would capture her attention.

Christopher Marsen's four watercolours of the Maine coast are in keeping with the idea of journey, but in this case, the scenes he depicts has caused a change in his palette to something more muted. I get the impression that he was experiencing the typical Maine coast weather, of rain and fog. I find these paintings particularly attractive and for more than aesthetic reasons, although there is that as well, for I too have spent time exploring this coastline and Port Clyde is one of those small fishing villages, located at the end of one of the many peninsulas that stick out into the Atlantic, that I too, have visited. Of particular note is his, "Rain Port Clyde, Maine".

Katherine Harriott is exhibiting several of her mono-prints. Her printing method is unique, however, for they are almost paintings. Well, they begin as mono-prints, but then after that, she will allow the wet acrylic paint she uses in place of typical printing inks, to sometimes run, by hanging the work vertically. At other times she will work back into the print or maybe pull the print several times, while still wet, to add additional layers of colour. As with a painting, her works are one off, that is each is absolutely unique. None are multiples. They have the characteristics of the printed surface, along with other elements, more associated with contemporary paintings.

Kok Wan Lee, as usual, is exploring techniques and materials. he is surely one one of the most creative, also prolific artists at work in Bermuda today. In this exhibition, he is showing several watercolours, with the theme of couples.

In this show, Emily Tolson is expanding on her usual cloudscapes, with a diptych that adds an island to the composition, a dark repeat of the lighter cloud shapes above. Her materials are a mix of oil and charcoal. It seems that although this is a diptych, she thinks of them as somewhat separate, for each work has its own title, "#10 Over Bay Island," and "#11 Over Bay Island."

Interestingly, Jill Amos Raine's watercolours of various places she has visited, such as Satiago, Chile, are exhibited next to two watercolours and a digital print, by her brother. Eric Amos. Eric Amos' paintings are also is about travel, as with "Waiting for baby Blue". This watercolour shows a self portrait of Mr. Amos, in which he is looking at himself reflected in the window glass at some airport terminal. The sub-tityle says: "Self portrait of self drawing a self portrait." That is characteristic of Eric Amos' quirky sense of humor. The Amos Wall alone, is worth a visit to the Arts Centre.

Proctor Martin's "Visiting Squirrel", is a small painting with an unusual surface texture that is very appealing. The bizarre thing is, I can't find the visiting squirrel, but I am sure he must be there in the painting somewhere.

There are a number of other works that caught my attention, especially Amy Evans' "Historic Journey" and Vaughan Evans' "Once Upon a Time". Both are creative watercolours that make use of additional elements. In the case of Amy Evans, she has torn up a watercolour, or maybe several watercolours and then reassembled them into a collage composition. Vaughan Evans has painted on top of photographs.

Other works of art that are notable is Wynne Colley's "The Road Less Travelled", also Helle Pukk's ceramic creation, "Eastern Island Standing", and Christopher Grimes' oil painting, "Around the Sound".

The exhibition continues through April 17, 2009.