A $30,000 refurbishment of the Bermuda Society of Arts will see its galleries close next month for four weeks.

The first major renovation since the charity was established on the upper level of the City Hall building in the early 1960s, it became possible after a generous donation by an anonymous benefactor was matched by a second from the Bank of Bermuda Foundation.

Planned is a change in lighting, and a new air-conditioning unit.

"In order to move forward, we have to create a space in which we can properly display artwork," said gallery director Peter Lapsley.

"If we expect high standards from the artists themselves, we should also provide a high standard of display space for the work.

"At present, the lighting is inefficient; it burns out a great deal, and is expensive to run.

"It's not able to create any sort of pooling of light because the lights themselves are so high up. They're also ten feet away from the edge of the room.

"It makes it difficult to light the art well. The renovations will turn it, basically, into Bermuda's premier gallery. The new lighting will help to better showcase the art and save money on the running of the system. It will be beautiful."

Artist and BSoA member Jason Jones donated his time towards the organisation and design of the hanging spotlights which are to replace the existing lighting, Mr. Lapsley added.

And donations from the XL Foundation, Partner Re and Conyers Dill & Pearman enabled the charity to move forward its plans to replace its archaic air-conditioning system.

"(The donors) have been incredibly kind," the director said.

"The only other renovation I remember being done was the creation of office space.

"So it is a major renovation for us. And we're hoping to make sure we get the renovations done as swiftly and efficiently as possible.

"We are still in need of assistance ? we haven't secured all the funding needed for the new air- conditioning unit ? but once the lights are up, the rest of the year will be brilliant."

The next exhibit planned at the BSoA is the Schools Art Show, a showcase of work by students in the island's primary, middle and secondary schools.

The gallery is expected to close between February 23 and March 23.