The Masterworks Foundation is gearing up for a second annual “Arts for All” year-end event over the Christmas-New Year’s holidays.

“From December 27 to 30 Masterworks in the Botanical Gardens will host a cultural celebration of the visual arts including free art workshops for all ages and local artists demonstrating a variety of different arts and craft in the West Gallery.

A family arts day is also planned for December 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is an opportunity for parents to come along with their child to get creative with various art activities in the Rose Garden next to Camden.

The “Arts for All” workshops will be taught by local and visiting artists and will cover a variety of innovative subjects. Workshops are open to nearly all ages and all abilities.

Workshops taught by local artists include Life Drawing, for teens and adults, with Vernon Clarke and is appropriate for all abilities that are interested in improving their drawing skills. Frank Dublin explores the basics of pastels in a two-hour workshop for 11-year-olds to adults. Mono-printing with husband and wife artist duo, Vaughn and Amy Evans, also for that same age group, will be an exercise in creating art in reverse.

Young children, ages five to 12, can choose to come for Junior Arts Club which will be a mix of art and craft or cartoon illustration for six to 12-year-olds, taught by Tom Cooke, an established artist who has done artwork for “Care Bears”, “The Muppets” and “Sesame Street”. Mural painting techniques facilitated by Steve Kenny, a visiting muralist from Toronto, should be an interesting, hands-on art experience for teens-adults. Mr. Kenny will share his expertise of airbrushing as part of the creative process.

Linda Wilde will introduce her students to watercolour techniques with a botanical theme.

Participating artists who will be on hand for art demonstrations include Shawn Place (Gombey), Michael Cacy (airbrush), Will Collieson (mixed media), Kendra Earls (jewellery), Bermuda Guild of Stitchery (fibre arts), Peggy Couper (basket weaving), Milton Hill (cedar), Frances Furbert (pastels) and more. Painters include Trevor Todd, Al Seymour, Noel Simmons and Otto Trott. Demonstrations are open to the public daily during and admission is free.

“The featured artists have such a broad base of knowledge that it is a pleasure to have them involved to share their creative knowledge and expertise with the public,” said Carrie Zenti, education officer at Masterworks.

Volunteers are still needed to aid in facilitating the event and if interested please contact Masterworks.

Registration begins December 11 and is on a ‘first come’ basis. Contact The Masterworks Foundation weekdays on 236-2950 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Space is limited.

The schedule of workshops is available at www.bermudamasterworks.com.