art exhibit, which it says made a big impact on Bermuda's schoolchildren.

Over four thousand adults and five thousand children passed through the gallery doors at City Hall to see "Secrecy: African Art that Conceals and Reveals.'' "Schoolchildren were able to learn about different cultures and open their minds,'' said Mrs. Bonnie Dodwell, assistant director of the Gallery.

"Hopefully it will keep their minds interested in learning about other ideas and cultures.'' Gallery director Mrs. Laura Gorham said: "Sixty percent of Bermuda has a black heritage and it is important that they know more about it and be proud of it.'' She added that the turn-out for the exhibition was very good. "It couldn't have been better received by everyone.

"New York's Museum of African Art was very confident in us hosting the exhibit.

"When we first set up the gallery, we had to make sure it met international standards,'' Mrs. Gorham said.

"People were able to deal with their misconceptions about Africa. Their ideas were changed in a positive way.'' Mrs. Dodwell said: "African art is different from Western art. Western art was made to be viewed and experienced while African art was made to be used.

They had a function, a purpose.

"Schoolchildren were definitely fascinated about how children in Africa were raised.'' Mrs. Gorham said she hoped the exhibit had introduced children to the gallery, enticing them to return for other exhibits.

And Mrs. Dodwell added: "We want teachers to use the gallery as a venue for education. We hope it will compliment the school curriculum not just in art.'' The exhibit leaves Bermuda today.

PACKING UP -- Mrs. Erica Blumenfeld, of the Museum for African Art in New York, packs away two African masks at the closing of the City Hall exhibition.