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Following on the shock revelation that Masterworks has been given one year's notice to vacate the space it presently shares with the Bermuda National Gallery, the Foundation is finalising plans to establish new headquarters at the former Once Upon a Table restaurant in Hamilton.

Masterworks' Bermudiana Collection, part of which occupies the upper floor of the purpose-built gallery at City Hall, is enormously popular with both residents and visitors, and includes works by famed American artists Winslow Homer and Georgia O'Keeffe. Since the National Gallery opened six years ago, and under the original terms of agreement, Masterworks has paid a `peppercorn' rent of $1 per year. The Foundation worked in conjunction with the embryo National Gallery to raise funds for the City Hall venture.

"The National Gallery has informed us that it now requires the extra space,'' explained Masterworks director Tom Butterfield, an original trustee of the National Gallery. "Our notice to quit has, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise and we are very excited about our new location and our plans for the future. Reaction to our proposed move has been extremely positive.'' Noting that the Foundation is now in its 11th year, he added, "I think there's a general recognition throughout Bermuda -- and beyond -- that the Masterworks Collection has become part of Bermuda's heritage and identity, and is certainly a source of national pride. I don't think that Homer and O'Keeffe were household names here, ten years ago -- which they seem to be now!'' Voicing his belief that Bermuda could "easily'' sustain two museums, he commented, "The National Gallery has its core collection of European and African works as well as bringing in various exhibitions from abroad. We shall continue to concentrate on `the Bermuda connection'. In many ways,'' he mused, "we have been somewhat shackled by being in City Hall. Now we have the chance to do some wonderful things -- especially in the field of education, which, almost by accident, has now become the main thrust of our work.'' As assistant director Elise Outerbridge pointed out, this concept will be complemented by the building: "The architecture -- which is in itself an intrinsic part of our artistic heritage -- shouts `Bermuda', so we have a situation where the building will enhance the collection, and the collection, the building.'' Announcing that the new facility will house one large gallery dedicated to the main Bermudiana collection, a gallery highlighting topographical art ("so that our visitors can get a feel for Bermuda''), and a smaller gallery in which to stage special shows, Mr. Butterfield said there would also be a kitchen, reception area and museum shop. "We shall be able to exhibit three themes at any one time, all Bermuda-related. We are keeping our Front Street gallery and, altogether, this means that we will have seven places where our art is on show to the general public. Best of all,'' he beamed, "is that it will be extremely user-friendly, and available for use by all of our members.

We can stay open in the evenings whenever we wish, as well as opening at the weekends. Membership of the Foundation will have its rewards -- and we have a large and very strong membership. Now, we'll have our own place where everyone feels relaxed, comfortable and welcome.'' Noting that the new premises will provide some 2,500 square feet, as opposed to the 500 square feet at City Hall, Mrs. Outerbridge confirmed that plans are in hand to ensure that the collection will be cared for in a secure, climate-controlled environment, conforming to international museum standards.

"And there is already a cold storage area which will be adapted for storing our works of art.'' Conceding that the new premises, situated at the head of Serpentine Road (across from The Royal Gazette ) are not as central as City Hall, Mrs.

Outerbridge stated, "From the very first, Masterworks has been geared towards Bermudians and residents of Bermuda -- and we know that they will find us easily enough! In any event, Hamilton is not large and tourists seek us out, whether it's at City Hall, on Bermuda House Lane off Front Street, or at our Artist-in-Residence Gallery at Dockyard.'' Mr. Butterfield, who in July cycled over 1,000 miles from Land's End to Scotland's John O'Groats to raise money for the Foundation, says that their support from the Bermuda public was made clear to him when they undertook a Telethon fund-raising appeal three years ago. Staged on local TV in a bid to acquire three portraits of Bermudians by American artist Ambrose Webster, the Foundation was successful, raising around $50,000, "so that we could secure these pictures for the people of Bermuda.'' With the focus pointed now toward education and research, Masterworks feels that their `Artists Up Front...Street' has attracted many different sections of the community. There is strong support, too, for their Artist Encounter Programmes, in which many different artists have conducted workshops for young people. "We have taken art off the walls and into the schools and both teachers and parents are very keen to see us continue with this. We firmly believe that our collection teaches our young people about their own heritage -- from the historical, artistic and environmental viewpoint,'' said Mr.

Butterfield. "We are prepared to continue to commit ourselves to the community, sometimes in daring, innovative ways. One thing we have learned over the years,'' he added, "is that you can't just sit back and hope things will happen. That is why we get out into the community, talking to schools, and to visitors in our hotels. We believe, that with our own centre, we shall be able to realise many of our dreams that were not possible before.'' CHECKING OUT A MASTERF-FUL FUTURE -- Masterworks chairman Richard Faries (left), pictured with assistant director Elise Outerbridge, trustee Lady Swan and director Tom Butterfield, looks over the site plans of the new Masterworks premises, the former Once Upon a Table restaurant in Hamilton. (Photo: Tony Cordeiro)