A well-known and beloved figure in the local arts scene will be spotlighted in a unique one-man exhibition later this week at Bermuda National Gallery.

Chesley Trott: Sculptor and Mentor, sponsored by ACE and a host of local companies, opens this weekend at the City Hall gallery and promises to inspire the artist in us all.

The exhibition is a retrospect of Mr. Trott's illustrious career as an artist, primarily paying homage to his sculpting skills.

"Chesley works with a lot of different woods in addition to cedar,'' explained Marlee Robinson of the Bermuda National Gallery. "There will also be some of his paintings and bronze and stained sculptures in the show.'' Most of the assembled collection features the smooth, elegant pieces for which Mr. Trott's well known for, but Ms Robinson warned visitors to expect a few deviations from his winning formula.

"Anyone who visits the exhibition will notice that over the years there is a recurring theme in his work -- the mother and child and family. He loves action and movement in his work and with wood the forms have to be tall and skinny.'' She added: `But when he went to Mexico, he started working with bronze and he could start experimenting with crazy forms.

"The great thing about this exhibition is that we had Mr. Trott with us to give us insight into each piece. In the catalogue Chesley is able to say exactly what he means by each piece.'' Mr. Trott, who studied at the University of Western Ontario, the Ontario College of Art and Ealing College of Art in England, admitted that seeing so many of his creations under one roof did prompt feelings of nostalgia. "I feel honoured,'' he confessed. "Many of these sculptures were sold many years ago, so it is nice to see them again. To see them all together is heartwarming.

"They also bring back certain memories and emotions. When you do something and you sell it, you forget about the feelings that went into that piece. Some of these pieces I haven't seen in 30 years,'' And he said the exhibition made him realise that he had been quite busy over the years.

"Seeing all of these, it does bring home the fact that I have done a lot over the years -- but I enjoy doing it.'' The exhibition will not only allow spectators the opportunity to view some of Mr. Trott's early works, one which dates back to 1967, it will provide an opportunity to witness Mr. Trott's other love -- orchids.

"I always tend to my orchids in the morning,''confessed the sculpture.

"In addition to being a sculptor, Chesley is also an avid horticulturist of orchids,'' explained Ms Robinson. "So we got some of his paintings of orchids to put into the show.'' And in addition to show-casing Mr. Trott's other hidden talents, the exhibition will be also be a family affair.

"We will also have a sculpture by Mr. Trott's youngest son,'' explained Ms Robinson. "We will also display pieces from other artists who have been influenced by Chesley. We have a table, paintings and sculptures by artists who at one time or another have been guided by Chesley.'' Currently, Mr. Trott runs adult classes two-nights a week at his Dockyard studio in addition to leading a seniors citizens' class Tuesday mornings.

He has taught at the prison since 1970 and currently teaches at the prison two days a week.

When it comes to discussing the tremendous impact he has had on others, Mr.

Trott takes a modest stance and simply chalks it all up to his being a "teacher''.

"I don't have too many feelings on the subject -- I've always been a teacher,'' explained Mr. Trott, who retired from teaching in 1992. "It's such a part of me.

"I try to bring out of them their own feelings. I try to encourage them to develop their own thoughts.'' And visitors to the exhibition, which continues until September 4, are in store for an additional treat -- Chesley's Choices.

"Chesley has gone through our permanent collection and picked out the pieces that he liked,'' explained Ms Robinson. "It will be an additional treat called Chesley's Choices and it they will be on display in the Ondaatje Wing.'' The display includes several African head-dresses as well as a Henry Moore painting.

"I choose the head-dresses because of the carving skills,'' Mr. Trott pointed out. "I was impressed with them because they didn't have the tools we use today.

"And I choose them because of their beautiful use of space shaping. African art is so powerful and so strong.''