Painting is not necessarily the name of the game when people gather, on a weekly basis now, for lunch-time entertainment -- and education -- at the Bermuda National Gallery.

The inspired programme, the idea of which, according to assistant director Bonnie Dodwell, evolved gradually, has resulted in people from all walks of life getting involved in the life of the gallery and making it, in the widest sense, a centre for all of the arts.

Over the next few months, for instance, there will be excerpts from plays, verse readings, slide lectures on artists, talks on music and architecture.

Of special interest this Friday (although it takes place at 5.30 p.m. rather than an lunch time), is a slide lecture given by celebrated photographer Sam Abell, staff photographer of National Geographic Magazine.

Mr. Abell, who was invited to Bermuda as guest juror for the Bermuda Society of Arts's 21st annual Photography Show, kindly agreed to show and talk about his work before he officially opens the exhibition in the Society's upstairs gallery afterwards.

"Whenever possible,'' says Mrs. Dodwell, "we do things like this in conjunction with other galleries and groups. This Friday, in fact, will be quite an evening, as besides Sam Abell's show, there is also the opening of Henry Ward's solo show at Nicholas Lusher's new art gallery. Tying in with that, we have Henry joining Lady Waddington (who, last year, also had a joint exhibition with Jennifer Smith at Masterworks) in our Meet the Artist lunchtime series.'' Similarly, Maurine Cooper's next slide lecture (on January 22) is on Figurative Art, relating to the current Arts Centre at Dockyard show, "Out on a Limb'', which celebrates the human form.

Most important, however, stresses Mrs. Dodwell, is the overall aim of bringing the community into the National Gallery.

"We are trying to do this on an everyday basis, so that the community feels the gallery really belongs to them,'' she explains. "We keep our lunchtime events as informal as possible and we make a point of not concentrating solely on art. We try to diversify by having music -- and talks on music -- drama, and verse readings, all of which is proving very popular.

"What is interesting,'' she adds, "is that the `lunch time' crowd is proving to be a fascinating mix of people and, quite honestly, we are getting people in the gallery who normally would probably not be all that interested in art! As it is, people do seem to love the idea of getting away from the office or from home for an hour or so of relaxation while they eat their packed lunches.'' Mrs. Dodwell admits that a distinct bonus for her occurs when she hears someone remark "Hey, look at this painting'', finds somebody carefully reading the notes accompanying an exhibition, or when she sees that someone's attention has suddenly been caught by a sculpture.

"When we have musical or dramatic events, I've noticed that we attract a completely different crowd, who might never have been in the gallery before and never really taken the opportunity of seeing what we have here. In this way, we are integrating art into other aspects of the arts. In other words, you don't have to be an `art freak' to enjoy the things we put on at the gallery!'' This eclectic approach reflects the background of the gallery's Assistant Director. Born in New York but "transplanted'' to London as a child, Mrs.

Dodwell attended London's world-famous Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where she gained the coveted Gold Medal in Acting, Public Speaking and Teaching, followed by an M.A. in special education from Columbia University in New York.

After teaching in Bermuda's government schools for five years, she spent the next 20 in raising her family and running The Reefs hotel with then husband, Minister of Tourism David Dodwell. As Assistant Director of the National Gallery her experience in education has set her in good stead to run the Volunteers programme and the overall education programme.

At the end of this month (January 29), she has invited Nigel Kermode and Mary Winchell to revive their highly popular presentation of verse on the subject of "old age''. Amusing and poignant by turns, this outstanding collection of poetry seems to be loved, says Mrs. Dodwell, by people of all ages.

Also planned over the next couple of months is Connie Dey and Peter Woolcock, giving an evening performance of "Love Letters'', music teacher Susan Levasseur speaking on "The World of Musicals'', Andrew Trimingham on architecture, a visiting orchestra slated for March, and further drama appearances by two of Bermuda's leading actors, Brian Webb and Richard Fell.

This week, incidentally, is the last chance to see the "Bostelmann Paints for Beebe Exhibition'' in the Ondaatje Wing. It closes on Saturday, January 18.

Today's Meet the Artist Lunch with Lady Waddington and Henry Ward is from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. Tickets are $5 (gallery members free) and brown bag lunches are encouraged.

TIME FOR A TALK -- Lady Waddington, pictured in the Bermuda National Gallery, will be joined by artist Henry Ward in today's popular weekly lunch-time session, Meet the Artist.