On January 1, Laura Gorham will relinquish her post as director of the Bermuda National Gallery. Here she looks back on her 22-year association with the gallery, 17 of them as director, pays tribute to those who have contributed its success, reveals why she is stepping down, and what the future may hold for her. Nancy Acton reports.

@rgquote:"Had I known the full scope of what I would be doing, I probably would not have accepted."

So says Laura Gorham as she looks back on the day, 17 years ago, when she was persuaded to join the fledgling Bermuda National Gallery in January, 1992 as the administrator. Since then, she has forged a career which has blossomed as successfully as the gallery itself.

"Everything has grown — the collections, initiating the Bermuda collection that tells the Bermuda story through the arts; fine-tuning what we collected and initiating the African collection," Mrs. Gorham said.

"You see the gallery grow from the dream and the visions of 'what is a national art museum?', to having it come to fruition, open, and then trying to live up to everyone's expectations of what it has come to mean for the art community.

"Here we are, 17 years later, with all these wonderful programmes in place: lectures, exhibitions, multiple areas of collections, and policies for all manner of professional ways to do business in various areas."

In terms of staff development, what began with Mrs. Gorham and then one assistant, has now grown into what she terms "a whole lot of wonderful, talented and well-meaning people".

Similarly, the BNG's operating expenses have also grown steadily over the years. From an initial budget of approximately $350,000, and a $30,000 salary for Mrs. Gorham, today's budget is "pushing $1 million".

Yet she said that following extensive discussions, membership fees and free admission are to remain unchanged. Instead, internal restructuring, careful financial planning, and a smaller budget will pave the way ahead.

Recalling her early association with what would become the BNG, Mrs. Gorham, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history and theatre, was invited to become a member of the founding steering committee in July, 1986. At the time she was the director at Jay Bluck's Heritage House gallery. However, when she was offered a permanent post she hesitated.

"They had done a capital campaign, and they needed someone who knew art as well as administration to take the reins. I already had a relationship with the trustees, so I knew who my advisors were going to be. Dennis Sherwin, Jay Bluck, and Charles Zuill said they would help me, so all that made it possible, and I said 'okay'," she recalls.

Readily admitting that there were aspects of administration about which she knew nothing, Mrs. Gorham said: "Dennis taught me public relations and marketing, Jay taught me business, and Charles Zuill was always there to help me, as well as so many others over the years. David Mitchell was the designer/installer, and eventually curator. We were in the midst of building the gallery, and I was the glue to put things into practical action. I did whatever it took to get it done.

"Over the years we have also had some amazing people as volunteers behind the scenes, whom I have used as my right arm and left elbow. I couldn't have done it without them, but you also can't depend on them over the long-term, which was part of the excitement of being a start-up operation."

Initially, while committees did all the practical selection of the art, Mrs. Gorham and others burned plenty of midnight oil and sacrificed weekends to hang shows. In addition, she was responsible for memberships and the data base.

Today, the director's responsibilities have expanded to include overseeing all aspects of the museum, including forward planning, trustee relations, community outreach, development, staff management, exhibitions planning and programming activities.

In putting together a strategic plan, education was seen as the most important element, so a programme was put in place to be run by a volunteer team. Later, the post of education director was establish.

Sitting in her cramped office on the upper level of City Hall, where two corners of her desk are shared, Mrs. Gorham is clearly proud of all that has been and is still being accomplished by Bermuda's national art gallery.

"We are a place to celebrate the arts, but we also do many other things: from sharing cultures to retrospectives celebrating our own artists, to teaching about other artists from abroad and other kinds of art styles; lectures, jazz nights, Maurine Cooper doing her slide lectures, PartnerRe bringing in overseas speakers....the list goes on.

"I still hear Jay in my head saying it wasn't good enough to put in some air-conditioning, hang some paintings on the wall, and say we were open. He said we needed a programme, and an education programme, to get people in the doors and comfortable, interacting and learning, and being stimulated by what goes on inside."

Indeed, Mrs. Gorham is delighted to note that there are now generations of Bermudians who cannot remember when the gallery was not at City Hall, but stresses that the credit is not hers to take. Rather, it is a tribute to the vision and work of so many, including Bonnie Dodwell, who became the first permanent staffer to join Mrs. Gorham; Marlee Robinson and David Mitchell as curators; Susan Krassy who initiated the first docent programme, and so many others, including a loyal and supportive membership and donor base, without whom we would not be able to open the doors.

"It was always very much a team effort, and I always thought that was the strength of the gallery. It wasn't about me. I was the glue that held everything together."

As director, Mrs. Gorham was also responsible for initiating the popular travel programmes, when she would accompany BNG members on tours to art museums in North America, as well as visits to the Amazon and Machu Picchu in Peru.

From the grand opening of the main gallery on March 15, 1992, to the present day, Mrs. Gorham has witnessed the installation of a fascinating array of exhibitions of both local, overseas and culturally diverse art, much of it by world-renowned artists; the initiation of the BNG's permanent African collection, 'Celebration', and many other additions to its permanent collection, all of which have stimulated public interest.

"The BNG is not a sale gallery, it is an art museum and a place for learning," Mrs. Gorham added.

Over the course of her career, she has welcomed the Queen, countless dignitaries, statesmen, benefactors, visitors, members and artists — in fact, for many, she is the face of the BNG, but now, in a move that has surprised many, she has decided to relinquish her post as of January 1.

"Everything has its time, and I believe it is healthy for both individuals and organisations to be able to turn it over to a new team," she says. "The gallery has gone to the next level of its organisation, administration and more. I feel that the goal we set of getting the gallery open and establishing it has been accomplished, and I can't think of a better success story or tribute than being able to pass on the baton to a team who are not just capable but also have the energy, drive and ability.

"I would never step away unless I had full confidence in my staff and trustees. Lisa Howie, our education and programming director, who will become the acting director in January, has great management capabilities.

"Between her, curator Sophie Cressall, registrar and assistant to the curatorial and education departments, Jason Smith, and our chairman Gary Phillips, I feel confident that, as a team, and with the right support, they will carry on the traditions we have put into place: the spirit of inclusiveness and diversity, the reaching out to all the communities, and a great love and passion for the arts."

She said the BNG has been her "second family", and she feels "very invested emotionally" in it, but she says she is not severing her connections completely, but will continue to serve on its committees. She will also be available where needed to ensure that the transition goes smoothly.

As for her future, the outgoing director says her first move will be to take a break and assess her options.

"Whatever I choose to do next, I will have a passion for it, and know I am going to have fun, because if you are not having fun, then no one else is either."