Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts to host art exhibition

THURSDAY, JAN. 19: The Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts is hosting its first exhibition — Festival Impressions.

The show, being held at the Bermuda Society of Arts, focuses on the impact the annual festival has had on Bermudians in its 37-year history.

Since it was launched in 1976, the festival has often commissioned artists to create work for its publicity material.

Posters, brochures and festival souvenir programmes have featured the work, giving widespread exposure and publicity not only to the festival but also the featured artist. Sharon Wilson, Kendra Eziekiel, Kevin Morris and Desmond Fountain are some of the local artists who have been a part of this tradition.

Each year some of the visiting performers in the Festival conduct workshops where they share their craft with local school children. Sometimes students are also invited to sit in on rehearsals. These outreach programmes have become increasingly popular with many of them oversubscribed.

"We're absolutely delighted with the response from local schools to our Outreach programmes," said Festival Chairman, Ian Davidson. "It goes to the core of what we at the Bermuda Festival are trying to achieve, which is fostering a love and appreciation of the fine arts. It's our intention to keep this culture alive."

Mr Davidson continued: “It is widely recognised that knowledge of the arts, both visual and performing, is vital to creative thinking, effective communication and the development of leadership skills. Witnessing first-hand the enthusiastic participation of our youth in the Festival's Outreach programme and their work on exhibit, gives one confidence for our future.

“Videos and photographs of students participating in these programmes are part of the exhibition.

"But even more exciting is that we are also featuring original works created by local students who were inspired by previous Festival performers," said Festival Director Karen Pollard.

"Some local students composed music and lyrics after attending last year’s workshops with the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, Heather Nova and others and we’re thrilled to have those in the exhibit," said Becky Younie, one of the exhibition's curators. "We're also delighted that music students from Berkeley Institute have accepted our invitation to perform at the opening.”

Festival Impressions will also feature regular live performances by local artisans and a special talk on orchestra conducting will be given by visiting maestro José Serebier on February, 17 at 7 p.m. Admission is free but tickets must be booked in advance.

The Festival Impressions exhibit opens on Friday, January 27 and runs until February 17. Exhibition hours are 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. The opening is on Friday, January 27 from 5 pm to 7:30pm.