Summer Art Walk bursting with creativity

With the Bermuda National Gallery recently opening its satellite location in St George’s, it seems a fitting time to celebrate creativity in the old town. 

The good news is that the St George’s events committee will be organizing its first ever Summer Art Walk on the same day as the opening - this Saturday. 

The event, which usually takes place in the fall, has introduced a host of new attractions including Chewstick performances on the Square hosted by Vejay Steede including sets by up and coming artists Haz and Quinn Outerbridge. The event runs from 4pm to 10pm.

Last year more than 700 turned out to the Art Walk which takes place on the streets and in the galleries and restaurants of St George’s and organizers hope this event will attract even more. The next Art Walk is due to take place in November. 

The Bermuda Sun spoke to organizer Ami Zanders about this year’s event.

What’s new this year? 

There is so much going on this year. The St George’s Events Committee are excited that the Bermuda National Gallery have decided to open their satellite gallery, BNG East, the same day at the Summer Art Walk. They will be exhibiting surrealist photographs by James Cooper.  

Chewstick will be on the Square the entire night with Vejay Steede mcing the event.  There will performances by Haz, Quinn Outerbridge, Angelis Hunt, spoken word artists such as Alan Smith, The African Dance Company, school bands, majorettes and  much much more. 1 Undread will be performing outside of CV Cafe. Sheela Verupi will be creating henna tattoos in Triton Tattoo. Hopefully it will be a three ring circus with buskers popping out of nowhere!  

This year the Square and Water Street will be closed off completely. 

There will be a fashion show outside the World Heritage Centre featuring fashions from THE CAVE, Edgmonts, James R Lee and A2Z shoes and accessories.  

The St George’s Club will be exhibiting work by Vaughan Evans. They will also have live music playing at the Beach House at Black Beards.

Many of Bermuda’s most prominent artists will be displaying their work on the Square, inside Tucker House, the Globe Hotel, outside of the World Heritage Centre and several restaurants.  Sharon Wilson and Monica Jones will be at JW Seasons. Eldon and Lawrence Trimingham will be displaying their art work at Tucker House. Charles Zuill and Emma Ingham will be outside of the Globe Hotel. Dianne Amos and Donna Smith will both have their art stores open. Graham Foster, Christopher Grimes, Heidi Cowen, Jill Amos Raine, Anne Kermode, Dejon Simmons, Manuel Palacio, Milton Hill, Tricia Walters, Susan Thomas, Kelli Thompson, Libby Cook-Toppan, Lisa Green, Llyod Webb, Carole Harrison- Havercroft, Donna Fubler, Vanesse Gordon, Chrissy Hind, Michael Walsh, BARU, Amanda Wilson, Mike Ebbin and much more will be set up all over the town. I know that there will be artists who will show up when it’s just about to start. And that’s okay too. All artists are welcome. 

The National Trust would like to encourage everyone to see the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on 16 Old Military Road.  The interior has been restored and it is a must see attraction that will be open that night.  The whole town in getting into the spirit. 

Why did you decide to do the first summer art walk?

The last two Art Walks did so well that we thought we would try to do one in the summer. They took place in the fall which meant that college students were unable to be part of it.  

What are you most excited about?

I’m most excited about seeing the whole thing coming together. Nothing ever happens the way that you’ve planned. So the surprises and the chaos behind the scenes are what I enjoy. I love seeing people enjoying themselves and taking time out to appreciate local visual and performing artists. Especially now with the economic climate the way it is. We all need a little fun and to celebrate ourselves and our people more. 

I would love to get the Queen of Bermuda and her friends to come back! They were such a great hit last year. I would also love to bring Joy Barnum back for our next Art Walk in November as well. We just need to get a sponsorship.   

Did you manage to get funding for the event?

The Corporation of St George’s have been super supportive and helped us out a lot this year. We received funding from the Cultural Legacy Fund, Link Bermuda, CV Cafe, the Book Cellar, Donna Smith, Jill Amos Raine, the St George’s Club, Tavern by the Sea, Robertson’s Drugstore, The EEZ and many other members of the public and business in St. George’s.  It’s really becoming a community pride event.