Mr. Gary L. Phillips is the new chairman of the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG). His appointment, unanimously approved at a meeting of the trustees earlier this week, comes after five years as the gallery's deputy chairman. He succeeds Mr. David L. White, who has stepped down after 11 years in the post.

In accepting the chairmanship of what he described as "this prestigious institution", Mr. Phillips said he recognised and saluted "the gargantuan contribution of David White, who encouraged me to become a trustee of The Bermuda National Gallery".

"I firmly believe that with the continued support of the Government through the Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs; with the commitment of our fellow trustees and staff; with the continued encouragement from our sponsors and supporters, and with the steadfast loyalty of our many volunteers, the BNG, in partnership with the Corporation of Hamilton, can be assured of an exciting future."

Looking back on his 11 years as chairman, Mr. White said he had "greatly enjoyed" them, but felt the time was right to hand over to a younger person.

"Gary has been an effective deputy chairman, and I have no doubt that he will make a good chairman who can take the Gallery to another level.

"During my time as chairman, the Gallery has mounted many significant exhibitions which have contributed to the Island's cultural diversity and education.

"It is now firmly established as an important Bermuda institution which, through its extensive programming, continues to encourage and promote appreciation of the visual arts throughout all segments of our community.

"I am very proud of what the National Gallery has achieved, and as a serious art lover and collector I will continue to follow its progress with great interest and affection. I have no doubt that Gary Phillips, along with the other trustees and the Gallery's talented and dedicated staff, will see the Gallery go from strength to strength in the coming years."

Paying tribute to Mr. White's long association with the BNG, director Laura Gorham said he had made "many major contributions to the development of the Gallery during his successful tenure, during which he oversaw five Biennials and more than 60 exhibitions".

"We are very sad that David has decided to step down. He has enriched the Gallery in so many ways, and been an invaluable friend and champion of the visual arts in Bermuda."

At the same time, Mrs. Gorham said the BNG was fortunate to have in Mr. Phillips "a dedicated and dynamic successor, and we look forward to him leading the Gallery forward into a new era."

Since becoming a trustee of the Bermuda Fine Arts Trust five years ago, Mr. Phillips has served not only as its deputy chair, but also chaired the Governance and Development committees. Since retiring from Government service nearly eight years ago, the former Postmaster General and Director of Tourism has dedicated himself to his two great passions — the arts and education, and is currently consulting secretary to the board of governors of his alma mater, The Berkeley Institute.

Maintaining and encouraging a close link between education and the arts was the motivation last year for Mr. Phillips' project to exhibit the works of former Berkeleyite, the late Charles Lloyd Tucker. That exhibition, jointly sponsored by the BNG and the Berkeley Educational Society, coincided with the opening of the Berkeley Institute at its new site

Mr. White originally joined the board at the invitation of former chair Mrs. Louise Jackson, and the announcement of his appointment as chairman coincided with the opening, of the American Impressionist exhibition in September 1997, following his procurement of major sponsorship from AIG for their 50th anniversary.

"In addition to the American Impressionist exhibition, other BNG exhibitions of which David was particularly proud included 'Made in Bermuda', 'A Window on the Azores', and the recent 'Living with Art' exhibition of African-American Art, which had been a dream of his since 1997," Mrs. Gorham said.

"Through his chairmanship of the Collections committee, he has helped to build the BNG's Permanent Collection, and was instrumental in stewarding major gifts to the BNG, the most significant being the John Hinson Young II and Nelga Young Collection, which was presented to the Gallery with an endowment in 2006.

"As a collector, David has exhibited his collection in 'The Art of Collecting Art' (1996), and has also loaned and given numerous significant artworks to the Gallery, including the Edward James watercolour of St. George's Harbour."

As a parting gift to the BNG, Mr. White presented the museum with an oil painting from his own collection by Mary Parker West (1817-1887), who was active in Bermuda in the 1870s. The painting of Hamilton Harbour (1876) looking west towards Pomander Road is significant as one of the earliest known Bermudian landscapes.

The gift was made in memory of his parents, Leslie A. and Stella (Hollis) White.