With the end of the century just days away, Lifestyle asked a group of people to name ten Bermudians whom they thought had made an impact on the Arts, either in Bermuda or abroad, in the past 100 years. We also gave them the opportunity to name people who were not born Bermudians, but whose main body of work had been done in Bermuda. Our panellists were: Mrs. Louise Jackson, MBE, MP, Mrs. Elsbeth Gibson, Mr. Ronald Lightbourne, Dr. Charles Zuill and Miss Meredith Ebbin. The categories they addressed were: Music, Entertainers, Literature, Dance, Art and Theatre. All admitted that narrowing their choices to ten was extremely difficult because they felt so many more fitted the specifications. Nonetheless, these are the names they have come up with in Art, Theatre and Literature, and we should point out that, under Theatre, Don & Elsbeth Gibson were nominated by another panellist.

Nominations in Music, Entertainers and Dance will appear in the January 6 edition of this newspaper.

ART NOMINATIONS By Dr. Charles Zuill, artist, and art lecturer at the Bermuda College. These are my opinions at the moment and are based on what I know. There may be others, but I believe the following have all made a significant impact on the community.

Ethel and Kate Tucker: These sisters were some of the earliest who were able to make a living through their art by applying it to cards, textiles, and etc.

Hereward Watlington: He had a vision for a permanent collection and a national gallery, and was involved with setting up the Trust that resulted in the Bermuda National Gallery. He left his collection to the country for this purpose, and the Watlington Collection, as it is known, underlies the BNG's basic collection.

Alfred Birdsey: A rather rare character because he was able to make a reasonable living by his art. Most of us haven't found that possible. He was such an inventive and imaginative character, and a wonderful guy to know -- just delightful, with a good sense of humour. There are a number of influences in his art including cubism, Oriental, the American/German painter Lionel Feininger, and probably others. Birdsey was one of our first modern artists.

Charles Lloyd Tucker: He was the first black artist of note here. Not only was he an artist in his own right but he was also a teacher, and he introduced art to Berkeley Institute students, some of whom have become artists in their own right. He also encouraged others. He didn't necessarily teach Chesley Trott but he took him under his wing and offered to have an exhibition with him. As a young man I often visited his studio, and in fact he recommended the art school I should attend in England, which I did. He was a good friend as well as a mentor. This was particularly true among the budding young black artists at that time.

Emma Mitchell: She and David Mitchell had the idea of the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard -- a place where artists could have studios as well as exhibit.

Founders of the Bermuda National Trust: Not only have they preserved buildings but some notable historic art. They started with buildings and art, and the late Hereward Watlington was instrumental in securing the Green portraits for Verdmont, for example.

Jay Bluck: He was the one who really got the Bermuda National Gallery up and going, and was behind the fund-raising. The Gallery would not be open today without Jay.

Desmond Fountain: He was the one who got the Act through Parliament in 1982 for the Bermuda Fine Art Trust on which the Bermuda National Gallery is established. He paid for the legal fees, which at that time was no mean feat because he was just getting going in his career.

Ruth Thomas: She is Madam Culture all round, including the visual arts. She was, for example, on the original committee looking into the feasibility of a Bermuda National Gallery, and is still on the board of trustees. She has always been a big supporter of the arts, and particularly so when she was the Government's Cultural Officer. (For further details see listing under Theatre).

Laura Gorham because of her directorship of the Bermuda National Gallery. She has done an outstanding job.

Bermuda Art Association: The original art society here.

THEATRE NOMINATIONS By Mrs. Elsbeth Gibson Arthur Cooper: A very talented actor and set designer in local theatre for more than 60 years. A founder-member of Harum Scarum and also performed in Bermudiana Theatre productions (in one of which -- Harvey -- he and Elsbeth Gibson had starring roles), among others.

Sir Jeffrey (Curlie) and Lady Hilda (Hildie) Astwood: In 1920s were founder-members of Harum Scarum theatre group, which staged satirical variety shows at Colonial Opera House. Later, also founder-members of Harum Scarum's successor, another satirical variety show group known as The Somerset Lot, which raised money for Sandys Grammar School. Script-writing meetings were held at Astwood's Somerset home, to which they contributed. Both had established roles in all productions.

Constance Bainbridge: American born graduate of Columbia University with Master's degree in Drama. Lived in Bermuda for much of her adult life, and enjoyed long career as author, actress and director of local productions.

Commissioned by Bermuda Government to write historically demanding scripts for the plays My Heart Stays Here and This Island's Mine to commemorate Island's 350th anniversary. Director of Bermuda Repertory Theatre, one of the first permanent professional groups to come to the Island, and the forerunner of The Bermudiana Theatre, where she also directed. Worked tirelessly for Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society, producing, directing, teaching and helping to develop an appreciation for theatre.

Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society: Of all the theatre groups that have been formed, this organisation has surely made the greatest overall enduring contribution to the community. Forerunner of BMDS founded over 50 years ago by theatre-lovers who used the big drawing room at Newstead. Stella Frith Halsall held musical evenings there from 1945. Group also met in members' homes to read plays, stage rehearsals, and hold musical evenings. In 1953 they teamed up with Music Makers Circle to form the BMDS. Quickly expanded into full-production organisation. In 1959 even ballet was sponsored for Bermuda's 350th anniversary presentation of Giselle. Today, BMDS is a houseshold word.

Owns its own building, Daylesford. Stages shows at Daylesford Theatre and Christmas pantomime at City Hall.

Earl Cameron: Highly experienced Bermudian actor who has earned critical acclaim in England for his work in cinema, theatre, television, and on radio.

Household name to UK TV viewers, having appeared in more than 35 programmes.

Has had leading roles in many plays and more than 27 films since early 1950s.

Has worked with such famous actors as Dirk Bogarde, Virginia McKenna, Diana Cilento and Robert Shaw. One recent film, A Warm December, was directed by his friend and tennis partner, Sydney Poitier. Received Lifetime Achievement Award by Bermuda Arts Council this year.

Don & Elsbeth Gibson: Professional actors in American theatre and very early TV, came to Bermuda for six-month stay 45 years ago. Don performed in films being made on Darrell's Island. Elsbeth acted at Bermudiana Theatre. In 1959 Elsbeth was executive producer of Bermuda's 350th anniversary plays, My Heart Stays Here and This Island's Mine. Don produced Holiday Island Revue in Bermuda's hotels for 20 years. Elsbeth acted, produced, directed and designed sets and costumes in early Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society and later Donel productions. Both produced Harvard Hasty Pudding shows at City Hall for 20 years. Elsbeth has produced and performed in Bermuda Holiday Fashions for nearly 40 years. Don died in 1987 but Elsbeth performed in A Little Night Music for the 1997 Bermuda Festival, and most recently Driving Miss Daisy .

Elsbeth awarded 1999 Visitor Industry Partnership Award for Excellence.

Stella Frith Halsall: Staged musical evenings at Newstead from 1945. Sang soprano with BMDS Chorus from 1954 to 1966. Manager or associated with box office for various Ballet Weeks (forerunners of Bermuda Festival) and a long list of theatre productions in the 1960s.

Carol Downing Hill: Pioneer, teacher, play director and community worker.

During 36-year teaching career, was first teacher of speech and drama in Government schools, and in 1949 pioneered adoption of choral speaking in Government schools. Initiated Bermuda's first formal secondary school graduation exercises. A founding member of and for ten years the speech and drama co-ordinator for the Festival for the Advancement of the Performing Arts. Member of group which successfully protested segregation at Bermudiana Theatre. Joined fight for universal adult sufferage, and participated in first group sit-in at Playhouse Theatre. This was forerunner of theatre boycott which resulted in desegregation of all Bermuda cinemas. Member of Department of Education's Theatre Arts Curriculum Advisory Committee, and on Black Box Performance Workshops board of directors. Recently received Bermuda Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hastings Saltus: Black theatre pioneer who founded Studio Theatre Company, Studio Foundation for the Arts, and Theatre Associates Bermuda. Was artistic director of the US Navy theatre at the US Naval Air Station, and directed many plays in theatre groups he founded. Acted and directed for Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society and Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Directed for Central School and Bermuda Writer's Club. Worked with Bermuda Youth Theatre. Member of American Theatre Association.

Served as a western hemisphere administrator for 1977 World Festival for African and Black Culture, held in Nigeria.

President of the Bermuda Philosophical Society, member of Berkeley Education Society.

Served on Bermuda Arts Council.

Ruth Thomas, M.B.E.: Lifelong interest in the arts.

Taught music and drama from late '50s to early '70s in primary, secondary and special schools.

Conducted drama workshops for teachers.

Organised series of workshops and classes in directing, acting and playwriting, all of which were conducted by noted authors and directors from overseas. Served on Bermuda Arts Council, both as chairman and member from 1972-1999.

During that time managed Children's Theatre project, through which thousands of local children were exposed to professional theatre.

Worked with Bermuda Arts Council's National Youth Theatre.

Served on Drama Committee of Festival of the Performing Arts. In 1970s started children's theatre group which performed for school children on Saturday mornings.

In 1964 began acting through influence of Hastings Saltus, and still appears on stage.

Affiliated with Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society, Theatre Guild, Studio Foundation for the Arts, among others.

Has written, directed, had roles in 23 Mosaic s, which encapsulate segments of Bermuda's history, folklore, stories and traditions.

Teaches drama at Jackson School. Does storytelling for children and adults.

Serves on Bermuda Festival Selection Committee.

Trustee of Menuhin Foundation and Bermuda National Gallery.

National Dance Theatre board member.

Established Government's Department of Cultural Affairs.

LITERATURE NOMINATIONS By Meredith Ebbin, Editor of The Bermudian Magazine My choices are a hodge-podge and include works which I both enjoy and find to be valuable resources in my work.

I have chosen some because they have delved into new areas.

The works are also accessible, meaning they are not heavy historical tomes of more importance to academics than to the general public.

That would also explain why I have not included works which historians would likely consider to be of major importance, such as those written by Dr. Henry Wilkinson, and Craven's Introduction to the History of Bermuda .

The late William E.S. Zuill: Bermuda Journey is a delightful guide book with many memorable parts. Great storytelling.

William J.S. Zuill: Our foremost historian. His book, The Story of Bermuda and her People , is a good survey of Bermudian history, and a good reference work in a readable form.

Cyril Packwood for his book about slavery: Chained on the Rock -- a subject that had never been tackled before.

The book is heavily relied upon by scholars doing research into the early history of black Bermudians, including Dr. Virginia Bernhard for her new book on slavery. Slaves & Slaveholders in Bermuda, 1616-1782, and Dr. Moira Ferguson, who edited the British edition of the history of Mary Prince.

The History of Mary Prince: A Bermudian slave's narrative, and the first to be published by a female slave.

Among countless narratives published by Britain's Anti-Slavery Society in a bid to abolish slavery, thus its place in Bermudian and world history is assured.

Although it was referred to in newspapers and historical works, the narrative apparently never turned up in Bermuda until the 1980s.

The book buries once and for all the notion that slavery was benign in Bermuda.

Willougby Patton for her children's book, The Sea Venture , a fictionalised account of the shipwreck.

She lived abroad and was published by an international publishing house.

She died in the 1980s, and it is unfortunate she did not get more recognition.

Brian Burland for the body of his work.

Like Willoughby Patton, he is a rare breed in Bermuda, where commercialism wins out over literary pursuits. Burland turned his back on the family business to devote his life to writing.

Our only novelist of note, he has had more than ten books published, and has written many more.

Dr. Eva Hodgson: Her book, Second Class Citizens, First Class Men , examines a pivotal era in Bermuda's political and social history: 1953 to 1963, the latter being the first year in which adults who weren't landowners were allowed to vote in Bermuda.

Llewellyn Emery: His book, Nothing but a Pond Dog , is an evocative memoir of his childhood.

The material is obviously interesting, but it is the quality of the writing that makes the book a literary classic.

The Bermuda National Trust for its architectural series, especially St.

George's and Sandys. Highly readable works about Bermuda's heritage.

Colin Benbow For his book, Gladys Morrell and the Woman's Suffrage Movement in Bermuda . Research by Dale Butler.

Man of Vision: Sculptor Desmond Fountain financed the legal costs of getting the Bermuda Fine Art Trust Act, 1982, a Private Members' Bill, through Parliament. From this the Bermuda National Gallery was established.

Alfred the Great: One of Bermuda's first modern artists, the late Alfred Birdsey was known as much for his unique style as his delightful personality.

His work, always highly prized, is found in private collections, commercial buildings and galleries both here and abroad.

Mr. John (Jay) Block Laura Gorham Llewellyn Emery Dr. Eva Hodgson Hereward Watlington