Art lovers and enthusiasts are attending workshops, classes and viewing demonstrations at the Masterworks Foundation of Bermuda Art this week.

The event, in the West Gallery, started yesterday and runs until Saturday and is open to the public.

Masterworks education coordinator Carrie Zenti explained that the Arts for All will feature a selection of the Island?s artists and craftsmen, along with visiting artists from abroad who will be on hand to share their techniques.

?It is a bit of an open studio approach, which brings the artists together allowing the public access to a variety of artists and their work,? said Mrs. Zenti.

?Often artists work in isolation and the public only gets to see finished work, they don?t realise all that is involved in creating art. This is a chance to see works in progress and to chat with the artists directly and learn more about their different techniques.?

The schedule varies daily and will include fibre artists such as the Bermuda Quilters? Guild and the Bermuda Guild of Stitchery who have several members attending with their traditional works in progress.

?Shawn Place will be working on sewing elaborate Gombey costumes - sharing a unique glimpse of Gombey culture,? she said.

?Peggy Couper is attending with her basket weaving materials to share tips about this rare craft. Kendra Earls is the only jeweller attending and will be presenting her work with a wide variety of gems and stones.

?Michael Cacy will be on hand with his airbrush equipment and the public will be able to give it a go under his guidance. Frank Dublin will bring his latest pastels to share with the public as well as giving a workshop during the Arts for All event.

?Trevor Todd with be sharing his photos along with artwork influenced by his travels to Australia. Mixed media artists Will Collieson and Jason Harris will be attending with their artwork.

?Milton Hill with his cedar work will be on hand each day. John Legere gave a silkscreen demo outside yesterday. Visiting artist, Greg Macavoy, from New York is working on creating a new installation of a cement sculpture in the front gardens of the Masterworks property.

?Painters can be found inside or outside with their respective works in progress including Al Seymour, Noel Simmons, Melinda Braathan, Frances Furbert and Otto Trott.? Demonstrations are open to the public daily during the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is free.

Director of The Masterworks Foundation Tom Butterfield pointed out that this is the second annual Arts for All event at the year?s end.

?It looks likely to become an ?institution?,? he said.

?The point and purpose of Arts for All is multifaceted. In the short period of finding our home permanently in The Botanical Gardens we noticed that there are many families that are looking for something to do besides jumping up and down on a fun castle.

?In some instances it gives the creative children an opportunity for outlet ? in other cases it brings parents and children together in the spirit of mentorship.

?As Bermuda virtually comes to a standstill between Christmas and New Year?s there is both a need and an opportunity to fill the void in the spirit of an end result. Additionally, by offering an outlet it keeps kids off the streets. One of the points being ? if idle hands can be the devil?s workshop alternatively, they can be the angel?s workshop.

?The programme reaches as wide a cross section of the Bermudian fabric as possible. Inevitably for most classes there is a waiting list.

It is a glorious problem to