He is an established artist and his work is usually edgy but Manuel Palacio's new show 'Bermuda Point of View' is aimed at the commercial market.

He believes there is a lot of good Bermudian art and he would like to see more of it in offices and hotels around the Island, instead of work by international artists.

The show will feature some of his contemporary pieces and some of his sculptures, but he said: "The crux of the show is new paintings for commercial space."

'Bermuda Point of View' opens tonight at the Bermuda Society of Arts, in the Onions Gallery, and his students, Kenneth Burch and Lynn Smith, from the Community Education class he teaches, will open their debut show, 'Bermuda Scapes', in the Edinburgh Gallery.

"I've been working on an iconic show. I want this to be the best show in Bermuda history; I want to make paintings that redefine the Bermuda landscape like Georgia O'Keeffe did for the American Midwest," said Mr. Palacio. My intention is to explore ideas using media, processes and resources, modifying and refining work as they develop. I'm working on large canvases that I will spread paint like icing; add colours like an impressionist's sunrise.

"My intention is to include the viewer. Make the observer feel part of the work. My intent is for Bermudians to feel that this is a representation of Bermuda."

Marketing will play a role in this exhibit, explained Mr. Palacio. "When businesses support worthy causes they will inspire staff, current and potential customers," he said.

"The aggressive marketing campaign is to ensure maximum exposure to the community about 'Bermuda Point of View' and future Bermudian art representation in our society. "I want collector and corporate business to consider local art as their first choice, not because it's Bermuda, but because it's great art of Bermuda.

"I have painted a series of large canvases, which depict a different point of view on the Bermuda landscape; close-up composition and colours to form an abstract composition." Debut artist Kenneth Burch is painting a facsimile series of master artists and the Bermuda landscape. Many of his works were created during his time as a student in the Community Education classes, while first timer Lynn Smith is a painter who loves to capture the detail and light of Bermudian landscapes.

The show opens tonight at the Bermuda Society of Arts at City Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Other shows opening tonight at the BSoA are: Breastfed Baby Photo Exhibit presented by La Leche League in Studio A and Do You Game? by Kimberley Tucker in Studio B.