An art museum yesterday honoured a trailblazing former Premier by naming its courtyard after her.

The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art opened the Dame Jennifer Smith Legacy Courtyard to highlight her role in the creation of the Paget art gallery.

Dame Jennifer thanked the museum for its dedication and said it held a special place in her heart as an artist.

She added: "The outdoor courtyard has long served as a hub for young artists to meet and exchange ideas and recreation while engaging in their art education.

“Masterworks is a pivotal stakeholder in the preservation and celebration of Bermudian culture and I am appreciative to Masterworks for the honour of having their beloved courtyard named after me.”

Tom Butterfield, the founder of Masterworks, said Dame Jennifer became involved with the museum after a lunch meeting in 1987 when she was the Progressive Labour Party’s Shadow Minister of Education.

He said: “As founder, it was evident that her support would be important given our focus on education benefits and providing our island with a permanent space to learn about culture, art, heritage and history.

“Bermuda is for ever indebted to Dame Jennifer Smith and we thank her.”

Dame Jennifer became the island’s Premier in 1998 when the PLP won its first General Election.

She resigned from the position in 2003 – less than a week after the PLP won that year’s General Election – but was elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and served in the position until 2010.

Risa Hunter, the executive director of Masterworks, said: “Dame Jennifer leaves a legacy by helping to shape the museum we see today and we are immensely grateful to her service as an arts patron and ambassador for our island’s education.”