Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art founder and director Tom Butterfield hopes that black art will be celebrated throughout the year, rather than for only one month.

Mr. Butterfield was speaking as Masterworks launched the Black History Month exhibition, which would last four months, rather than the predictable one.

"The reasoning behind extending Black History Month for four months is both one of philosophy and practicality," he said.

"Dealing with the second issue first, in changing shows and installation at our museum is a big undertaking. Walls have to be prepped for installation and it is a labour intensive procedure, so the question of cost comes into play.

"Secondly, I think most of us feel that the idea of a Black History Month is not what museums are all about and our hope is that one day black history month will be celebrated all year round integrated in the fullness of our entire culture, rather than singled out.It is the basis upon which Masterworks Foundation was formed some 22 years ago.

"That is we celebrate in May Heritage Month when heritage is an ongoing 365 day a year notion."

The exhibition will have around 50 pieces on display.

"Bill Ming has sent a piece from UK called 'Hands Across the Table', as well as a sculpture that is part of the Masterwork's collection," Mr. Butterfield said.

"Chesley Trott is represented by a large cedar sculpture called 'Martha', that he fashioned from a cedar log, which was blown over in the Botanical Gardens during Hurricane Fabian in 2003. In addition, he has a carved sculpture name 'Cynthia', which was executed in 1968.

On the painting front approximately 29 artists have taken part in the exhibition and the subject matter is "Purely Personal".

Masterworks collections manager Elise Outerbridge said that the title of the show is "30 64: A Revelation".

"It has proven to be a real revelation of the scope and depth of talent we find in the black artists working in Bermuda today," she said.

"The idea has been incredibly well received by the participating artists who have embraced the idea with enthusiasm."

Also opening is artist and teacher Manuel Palacio and his student Che Caines.

The show opens tonight at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art at 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.