HE Masterworks Foundation has hit back at claims that it has veered from its focus of supporting contemporary Bermudian artists.

And it described as "bunk" allegations that it is misusing contributions intended for ongoing arts programmes, funnelling them instead into the construction of a world-class museum at its Paget location.

Masterworks' executive director Tom Butterfield was responding to criticisms in a letter to the editor of this newspaper written under the pseudonym Ars Gratia Artis.

Speaking on the certain demise of Bermuda's artistic community as the island becomes more dependent on the financial sector, the letter writer stated: "By far the largest proportion of sponsored dollars, received from both corporate/group sponsorship and the Arts Council go to the Bermuda National Gallery or the Masterworks Foundation.

"Neither entity has a mandate to foster the work of current Bermudian or resident artists on an ongoing basis.

"Masterworks is committed to collecting works largely by non-local, but now-famous artists who, long ago, were inspired by a visit to Bermuda. Any funds now allocated to the Foundation are currently being poured into concrete to provide permanent housing for these works.

"Since the closing of its Hamilton gallery there has been little focus on the works of contemporary Bermudian artists (although, to be fair, Masterworks has indeed hosted a number of shows of local works at its current Botanical Gardens site)."

The comments were labelled misleading by Mr. Butterfield, who described Masterworks' commitment to contemporary artists as "very much alive".

He cited as evidence, regular exhibitions throughout the year as well as the hugely successful Artists-in-the-Gardens series, known in the charity's former Hamilton location as Artists Up Front . . . Street.

"There has been some change on the island and with the visual arts it's very positive when you think that what was happening prior to our programme, the Artists Up Front . . . Street," he said.

"In moving to the Botanical Gardens we wanted to keep the initiative very much alive.

"A rotating series of artists gives people of all backgrounds an opportunity. When I say backgrounds I mean media, age, sex, race, style, price and experience.", the 2006 Artists-in-the-Gardens series, resumes at the end of this month, its roster representative of that ideal.

Among those exhibiting over its nine-month stretch are Frank Dublin , Laura Bell, Charles Zuill, Robert Rogers Sr. and Jr., Glen Wilkes and Johanna Flath.

"When we initiated this project we asked our membership for their support," Mr. Butterfield said. "We realised we had to give artists some form of assistance if we were going to keep the programme alive and this programme is, very much alive and will stay so ? we are going to commit a gallery in (the new museum) to making sure it is part of Masterworks' philosophy."

The executive director denied that contributions for art programmes were being put towards the charity's capital campaign for a new museum. Equally incorrect, he said, was the assertion that Masterworks received funding from the Arts Council.

"The writer makes the statement that we get the bulk of Arts Council grants. Our last grant was probably about 13 years ago and it was for the grand sum of $3,000 to go toward our education programme.

"The last time we received any Government money was from the Department of Tourism, for our travelling exhibition. When I think of all the (fundraising) marathons I've run, how dare they make a statement like that without coming to talk to us about how things work?

"This notion that all monies given to us are poured into concrete is bunk. There are people who make contributions and specify that they must go toward acquisitions and that is how they are spent.

"Our capital campaign is a separate initiative where people can donate at the level of comfort with which they feel. Particularly galling is that the author of that letter is in denial of what will be an institution where everyone will have a sense of the culture of the gallery that lives on in the Botanical Gardens.

"It's important to understand that this museum will be a reflection of change in Bermuda ? we are many cultures with one future and we need to work more diligently on that."

With that aim, Mr. Butterfield said he was heartened by two recent events which seemed to indicate the charity was making strides.

"I think it's important for people to know that we had a visitor to the island over Christmas, a Bermudaphile. On seeing what we are doing, she decided to change her will to our favour ? she could have given that money to any organisation on the island.

"More recently, we were given the People's Award from Gina Spence Farmer's organisation for our educational programmes. When I think that what was once perceived as purely an elitist organisation in all its manifestations turns out to reach the back of town, that's a significant statement and I'm very proud of it.

"We derive a lot of pride out of most (accomplishments) but that means the message is getting through, people are confident coming here ? that's pretty significant."