The Bermuda Arts Council will host its annual Awards Ceremony at City Hall on November 16 ? an event now more than 20 years old, which honours citizens, both living and posthumously, for their contributions to the arts. Honours include Founder's Awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards and this year for the first time a Patrons Award.

Receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards will be Bermudian sculptor Bill (Mussey) Ming, and noted artist Dr. Charles Zuill.

Mr. Ming, who lives in Nottingham, England, was commissioned to create the memorial, 'Lost at Sea', which is located at Great Head Park, St. David's, while Dr. Zuill is adjunct professor of art at the Bermuda College.

Well-known former local entertainer Bryan Butterfield will receive a Founder's Award. Mr. Butterfield led one of the first majorette groups in Bermuda and each year could be seen performing in the Easter Parade. For many more years he entertained our visitors with his delightful limbo show in the hotels.

Posthumous Founder Awards will be presented to the families of artist Alfred Birdsey; teacher and poet Geraldine Johnston; and music teacher and organist Maude Bascome Cummings Taylor.

Mr. Birdsey was a renowned artist whose work still graces the walls of many homes, both here and abroad, and other establishments on the Island.

Mrs. Johnston was especially well known for her children's poems. Her book of poetry can still be found in some of our bookstores, as well as at the Bermuda Library.

Mrs. Bascome Cummings Taylor, a former organist at St. Paul's AME Church, distinguished herself both here and in the US as a music teacher and composer. She started her own school, The Manna House, for underprivileged children in New York City, and her legacy lives on under the watchful eye of her daughter.

Dennis Sherwin, a long-time friend and supporter of the arts in Bermuda, will be the first recipient of the new Patrons Award.

The honour of presenting the awards will be shared by Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Dale Butler, and Sophia Cannonier, chairperson of the Bermuda Arts Council.

The evening will begin with a reception in City Hall foyer at 6 p.m. and continue in the Bermuda National Gallery, where the two-hour presentation ceremony will begin at 6.30 p.m.

Entertainment will be provided by the Milt Robinson Trio.