First came the hogges, then the Bermuda onions, and now it's hand-painted Adirondack garden chairs.

Yes, those imaginative folks at the Masterworks Foundation have come up with yet another eye-catching product as the basis of its latest major fund-raiser.

Fifty chairs, each creatively designed and beautifully painted by local and visiting artists, will be sold at a 'CHAIRity auction' this Friday evening, November 14, beginning at 6.30 p.m. sharp, the proceeds of which will benefit the Foundation's education programmes.

Cocktails will be served from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a competitive game of — you guessed it! — musical chairs, starting precisely at 6 p.m. Well-known members of the community will participate in this old party favourite, including the Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, well-known musician Wendell (Shine) Hayward, Clem Talbot of the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Foundation, and Bermuda Day marathon winners Ashley and Chris Estwanik.

Participants can join in the fun by buying raffle tickets for the musical chairs game. The musical chairs runners will choose one raffle ticket froma hat as they lose their places in the game. The winner of the game chooses the last raffle ticket for the best prize.

To take part in the auction, bidders must purchase a paddle, the cost of which is $50 and includes a gift bag plus one musical chairs raffle ticket. Paddles can be reserved in advance or purchased before the auction.

A preview of the decorated chairs takes place today and tomorrow in the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to raising funds for its education programmes, the auction also celebrates the 60th birthday of Foundation's principal patron, Prince Charles, which falls on the same date. The Prince, himself an artist, has sent all guests and supporters of the auction his warmest regards and congratulations on the event.

The event is also endorsed by Sir Richard, who pays tribute to The event is also endorsed by Sir Richard, who pays tribute to

the Masterworks Foundation team and its ambitions.

"The drive and energy of those behind Masterworks' launch onto Bermuda's first arts world earlier this year not only won our applause but confirmed the faith of their supporters who backed them in their magnificent and ambitions plan to house some of the finest works painted in Bermuda," he says.

"Those plans remain magnificent and ambitious, now that their realisation is underway, and they remain in need of strong support by all who want to see that Masterworks' new home for their Bermudian masterpieces flourishes."

Speaking on behalf of the Masterworks Foundation, founder-director Tom Butterfield says: "We have much to be grateful for, not the least of which is the CHAIRitability of the artists and artisans who have so kindly supported Masterworks. From the Artists-Up-Front Street to the 'Heavenly Hoggtion', the support has made a difference. The move from 'Collection' to 'Museum' means a great deal, and we thank them one and all. The 'CHAIRity Auction' should be a great deal of fun as we are holding it on the evening of our principal patron, HRH Prince Charles', 60th birthday."

Participating artists, organistions and schools are: Melony Kendell, Otto Trott, Dunavin Nesbitt, Dan DeSilva, James Cooper, Jennifer Keats. Caroline Tee Troncossi, Elizabeth Mulderig, Trevor Todd, Frank Dublin, Robert Rogers, Scott Hill, Masterworks artist-in- residence Daphne Stephenson, Anne Kermode, Keetika Arora, Margot Cooper, Susan Pearson, Joe Farrell, Jennie Lee O'Donnell, Mary Bouchard and Her Little Charges, Tammy Jackson, Emily Black, Patricia Barboza, Jill Merrick, Shannon Somersall, Stacey Kyme, Rolondo Wilson, Aleksandra Henderson, Suzanne Hooper, Chink Pope, Barbara Russell, Wendy Madeiros, Nancy Nichols, the Bermuda High School for Girls, the Bermuda Institute of Oceanic Ssciences (BIOS), This Week in Bermuda, Berkeley Institute, Somersfield Academy and Sandys Secondary Middle School.

From this group of artists come some interesting stories of what led them to participate.

Barbara Russell is an artist working in Harlem, where she is known as 'Ms B the Doodle Queen'. Of the chair she decorated, she says: "As a working visual artist in the United States, I jumped for joy to participate. I convinced Masterworks not only to let me paint, but also my travelling companion and fellow artist, Chink Pope, as well as Rolondo Wilson, a local landscaper at the Botanical Gardens, to get involved as well.

"Periwinkle, mustard, sea-green, and rose rubbings gave me a new art insight to stimulate the beauty of Bermuda's parishes. I heard many minicab drivers promoting the pride and commitment to keep Bermuda as a symbolic paradise for all those who visit. The black and white blocking filling the back of the chair serves as reference point to the mortality of all living things which move in the day and night, and of light as a tribute to 9 Beaches Resort. The entire trip was one to remember, and to be recommended to others."

Mr. Wilson is also an artist. His passion for art has been rekindled thanks to the visiting Ms Russell, who encouraged him to participate in the CHAIRity Auction. So persuasive was she, in fact, that Mr. Wilson has created not one but two matching chairs, each featuring a landscape panorama of the Botanical Gardens, where he works.

"I call these chairs the 'Garden of Eden', because I met my wife in the Botanical Gardens," he says.

The CHAIRity Auction is being sponsored by Splendido Restaurant, New World Wines, Tuckers Point Club, C-Travel, Harry's Resraurant and Coral Beach Club.

• For further information, and to reserve an auction paddle, please contact Kate Waters at 236-2950 or e-mail artmworks@logic.bm