SIXTEEN of Bermuda's artists will come together this weekend to show what can be achieved through a mix of imagination, talent and metal.

Similar to a recent fund-raiser for the Anglican Cathedral, which saw original works created from the church's old copper roof, Metal Works, the new exhibit which opens at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard asks that artisans create with metal.

Said the exhibit's curator Julie Hastings-Smith, who will also have some of her works on display: "One of the ideas of the show is to look at how artists form metal in different ways. The idea came about one day when (Jacqueline Lohan) and I were talking about working with metal.

"I took her jewellery making course, although my primary interest was to learn how to handle metal, and she suggested that one day we should have a show to see how people handle metal and the different ways people use it to create artwork.

"The (pieces of art for the Cathedral fund-raiser) were very impressive. There were people there who I never thought would take up that challenge. It was exciting to see artists take up the challenge and use a different medium.

"It's so easy to get pigeon-holed; to have people think that person does watercolours, that person works in oils. There's no reason why (people shouldn't accept that every) artists should be able to create in any medium and it's exciting to see that happen."

A range of artists and art forms would be on exhibit, she added - jewellery by Lynn Morrell and Jacqueline Lohan, bowls and plates by David Morrell, paintings by Angie Gentleman, turned wood by David Mitchell and lost bronze castings by Mrs. Hastings-Smith, who said she took up the art form five years ago after a trip to Mexico with local cedar artist Chesley Trott.

"I initially went to Mexico with Chesley and his students and have been back to cast bronzes every year since," she said. "The original form is made in wax, then encased in an investment - a cement-like encasement.

"The wax is then baked out so the form is left as a hollow casting in investment and the bronze is poured into that void and then the investment smashed off, which leaves the bronze behind."

The time spent creating, she said, "can take anything from a few hours to a few days".

Bermuda was home to a relatively large number of artists, she added, many of whom created in a variety of mediums.

"One of the reasons we do group shows is if the subject is a little unusual (as this is)," she said. "If we were to hold it as a general members' show, it would be hard to judge if there would be enough work to actually (have an exhibit), but if people are specificially targeted and agree to produce (pieces), we know that there will be enough work and the work will be of a good standard.

"If anyone has a suggestion for a show, or if a group of artists wnat to get together they should put their ideas forward to the Arts Centre's regular curator (Justine Foster). We're always open to suggestions and hoping to do something different."

Metal Works opens Sunday, 1 at 5.30 p.m. and runs through January 17 at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard. For more information, telephone 234-2809.