The Bermuda Society of Arts (BSOA) is sixty years old this year and what a bumpy sixty years it has been.Its history has been something of a roller-coaster ride, with significant highs but notable lows as well.Indeed, it has even had a couple near-death experiences, one being an attempt in 2008 by the Corporation of Hamilton to evict the Society from its purpose-built gallery in City Hall.The Corporation soon learned that to mess with artists is like poking at a hornet’s nest.Artists can be fairly contentious, but if you ever want to unite them against you, as the CoH learned, mishandle them.BSOA is Bermuda’s oldest established art organisation.Indeed, for most of its history, it was Bermuda’s only art society.Established in 1952 by a group of artists and art lovers, it was first known as the “Society of Arts, Bermuda,” but in 1956, by act of parliament, it was restructured with a new constitution, and renamed the Bermuda Society of Arts.It should be noted, however, that this is not Bermuda’s first art organisation, as there were several earlier ones.The society was actually a breakaway development out of the Bermuda Art Association.This latter organisation had been active at least since the early 1920s, but by the 1950s many artists were becoming dissatisfied with its degeneration into what was basically a social club.I understand that the final break from the Bermuda art Association came because of a dispute over a miniature portrait of the Queen, that had been painted on ivory by Mac Musson and set in a silver frame of laurel leaves.The frame was designed by Bill Harrington and created by James Kemp.Surmounting the frame was a miniature St Edward’s crown, that had been made at Tiffany & Co in New York.Apparently Antoine Verpilleux had a friend at Tiffany’s and by that means arranged to have it made.The purpose for making the portrait in the first place, was as a gift for the Queen, who was to visit the island, shortly after her coronation, however, the director of the then Art Association did not favour the idea and, thus, by whatever means, prevented it being given.There had been a growing dissatisfaction with the Art Association, but this episode concerning the miniature of the Queen, caused the members to act in the establishment of the new Bermuda Society of Arts.During the Society’s first few years, it held its exhibitions in various locations, such as rooms in the Hamilton Hotel or in Masonic Hall, but in 1961, through the vision of the then Mayor of Hamilton, Sir Gilbert Cooper, the Society was given life tenancy in a purpose-built gallery in the newly built Hamilton City Hall.Despite its early nomadic existence, however, the first decade of the Bermuda Society of Arts was something of a “golden age”.The society’s initial membership was made-up of such notables as Emmerson Bainbridge, Robert Barritt, Alfred Birdsey, Arthur Cooper, Sir Gilbert Cooper, Florence Fish, Vivienne Gardner, Georgine Hill, Donald Kirkpatrick, Bylee Laing, Mac Musson, Gabriele Humbert Parker, Marian Robb, Charles Lloyd Tucker and Antoine Verpilleux, the latter being the Society’s first president.As can be imagined, with such a membership, the Society was particularly active in organising exhibitions and although many of the above mentioned artists were known as realists, in 1958, it hosted a memorable exhibition of modern art in Masonic Hall on Reid Street.I have referred to these early artists/members as notable, but by saying that, I am probably dating myself, for I realise that for younger artists, many of these individuals are now unknown.This exhibition is therefor timely. It is important that we not forget our cultural past, although we have come very close to doing just that.In an article from the Bermudian Magazine of February 1953, I note that one of the Society’s “ambitions was to erect a suitable Museum of Fine Arts, suitably designed for the plastic arts and all related creative endeavours”.Even back then artists were talking about an art museum and eventually, in 1992, the Bermuda National Gallery did become a reality.What brought the BNG to reality was the teamwork of all interested art organisations beginning in 1985, including BSoA.I find it interesting that these two organisations, BSoA and BNG are neighbours in the same building and are working closely together.It should be noted as well, that from its inception, the Bermuda Society of Arts was racially integrated.That is significant, for in 1952 Bermuda’s institutions and businesses were still largely segregated.Quoting from “Bermuda Biographies” in the section on Charles Lloyd Tucker, we read that the “Bermuda Society of Arts was formed with an integrated membership — an indication that artists were leading the way in race relations.”I have referred to the ups and downs of the Society and although its up periods are many, mostly they were confined to significant exhibitions.For example, long before there was a Bermuda National Gallery, BSoA hosted an overseas exhibition that had been organised by the British Arts Council.It showcased many of the UK’s well known contemporary artists and it was at that exhibition that I first remember seeing a small but impressive landscape by Sir William Coldstream.Another memorable but controversial exhibition was one that came about because a then resident artist, Fred Franzen, spent a sabbatical year in Berlin, where he befriended a number of German artists who joined him in putting on a BSoA exhibition with the title of “Franzen and Friends”.I recall liking the show, but I also remember how vehemently some detested it. It was possibly too modern for the conservatives of the latter 1980s, however, its contentiousness is indicative of its success.Early in the 1990s, at the invitation of the Society, the president of the Royal Society of British Artists, Tom Coates visited and lectured, while on the island.About that same time, a selection of BSoA members were invited to exhibit in the London Gallery of the Royal Society of British Artists.One really important annual exhibition is the schools show.The Society has been hosting this exhibition for nearly fifty years and during that extended amount of time, the approaches to art education have changed drastically and this can be seen, especially in the more recent shows, what with offerings in printmaking, photography and ceramics etc, in addition to the traditional techniques of drawing and painting.The exhibitions that I have just mentioned are just a few that I recall.I realise that there were many other important exhibitions as well, but lapses in my memory, as well as space limitations prevent detailing them.Going back in time, the 1970s and even the early 1980s, was a low point in the Society’s history for by that time, it had fallen into a considerable morass.This coincided with the return to the Island, of a number of young art college trained locals, but to their dismay, they found the Society rather sad and shabby and its leadership reactionary in attitude, but try as these young artists might to bring about change, the then BSoA leadership was resistant to improvement.Eventually, after a number of years, many of the artists who were trying to bring about change, gave up and established instead, the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard.With the success of the Art Centre, BSoA went into something a “tailspin” and it looked like history was about to repeat itself.I understand that an emergency meeting was called to consider what to do and from what I have been told, the members were presented with two possibilities; either improve or close-down.They decided, for starters, to refurbishing the gallery and hired John Gardner to draw up plans and oversee its implementation.That took place in 1986 and with a refurbished gallery, there was also a change in outlook and enthusiasm for the Society,The last decade has once again been a high point in the Society’s history.With the redesign of the gallery into more flexible exhibition spaces, the Society has been able to host all kinds of diverse exhibitions.Additionally, there has been substantial growth, as well as diversity in membership. Consider also the many evening and weekend courses being offered by the Society and possibly because of that, it seems that, even with the multiplicity of exhibitions, artistic standards have also improved.In recent years, BSoA has become known as the “peoples gallery” and considering all the goings-on, this designation certainly seems appropriateIn celebration of the society’s sixty years, this year’s summer exhibition is devoted to celebrating that event.The exhibition will showcase the work of many of the Society’s notable artists, including the work of the artist presidents, although not all of the Society’s presidents were artists.Along with exhibiting the available best of the historic works produced by the membership, there is also to be a timeline of the Society’s history running around the gallery’s walls. That will be a notable exhibit in itself.Unlike the typical BSoA exhibitions, which usually last a couple weeks, this celebratory exhibition will be on show for nearly a month, from July 12 through August 6th.I have seen something of the preparations taking place at BSoA and can tell you, that it is going to be one smart exhibition that you will not want to miss.The Exhibition is going to be another high point in the history of the Bermuda Society of Arts.