The Fairmont Hamilton Princess has branched off into the world of art with the opening of a new gallery and an inaugural show today.

The Windjammer II, which will display and sell original works by artists from across Bermuda, will be run by the team of artist and manager Sheilagh Head, former art curator with Butterfield Bank Jean Gardner, and D'Anjou Anderson, formerly of Heritage House.

And Jon Crellin, general manager of The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, believes with more investors putting their money into art and turning away from the stock markets, the new enterprise will prove to be a big hit among tourists and locals alike.

Mr. Crellin also said the hotel's corporate visitors and the business market in general have been picking up in recent months despite the downturn in the economy.

"We have seen a little bit of a pick-up since the first or second week of Labour Day," he said.

"With an improving stock market and consumer confidence, some of the leading indicators in the US economy, we are starting to see things come back, so we are cautiously optimistic."

Mr. Crellin said that this is a traditionally good time of year for business travel, with September slightly down and October picking up with increased numbers for events such as the PGA and Bermuda Music Festival - in line with expectations.

"In light of the economic downturn which started last September things are in keeping with where they were last fall and we are starting to see a little bit of an up tick," he said.

"But everything is so short-term. People are waiting to the last minute to see how their revenues and expenses are doing before deciding on whether to make a booking, but it is starting to come back."

Mr. Crellin added that his hotel had not been oversubscribed with business travellers booking during the peak of the tourist season due to a fall in occupancy rates with more rooms available.

The art gallery's first show will feature locally-based artists Diana Amos, Mark Boden, Stephen Card, Will Collieson, Geralyn Counsell, Rhona Emmerson, Sheilagh Head, John Kaufmann, Kok Wan Lee, Graeme Outerbridge, Otto Trott and Sharon Wilson, among others, with the public invited to the opening celebration at the hotel between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The gallery, which was previously AS Cooper's Man and then used as storage space prior to the space being re-opened a year-and-a-half later, will sponsor a rotation of shows by local and guest artists, as well as public events, including Meet the Artist receptions and food and art pairing dinners.

Mr. Crellin said the partnership, which sees the artists leasing the space from the hotel and receiving its support in return, came about as a result of approaching Ms Head to see if she would be interested in setting up the gallery and following the success of the summer 12-week artist in residence sessions.

He said the relationship would work both ways, with the artists enjoying exposure to their work and clients getting to appreciate the artwork, while a small works show is planned for December 3 in the run up to Christmas during the traditionally busy shopping period.

Mr. Crellin said the art on show was made to suit most budgets and tastes, from $25 for some of the smaller pictures to $7,500 for the more discerning connoisseur.

"We have good relationships within the local art community and we're aware that there are too few outlets where local artists can share and sell their art," he said.

"To launch the Windjammer II is one answer to that and, just as important, gives our visitors and the community a chance to interact with the artists and the work they produce. It fits our mission of being authentically local, which means that when you are at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, you know you're in Bermuda. What could be better than afternoon tea and a chance to see truly spectacular art created right here in Bermuda."

The gallery's namesake, the popular Windjammer Gallery, was opened by Susan "Sudie" Curtis in 1980. Ms Amos, Mr. Card, Ms Head and Mr. Trott were among the original artists whose work was shown there. Following the death of Ms Curtis, the gallery was run by her daughter, Devon Moss, until it closed in 2003.

Located in the first-floor retail space at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Windjammer II will be open daily, except Mondays. Opening hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The gallery will also provide packaging, insurance and shipping of artwork to locations around the world.

For more information, call The Fairmont Hamilton Princess on 295-3000.