he helped draft controversial proposals to restrict foreign artists from selling prints of their work in Bermuda.

Dr. Zuill condemned the Government plans and said the Island's artistic community on the Island was not consulted during the drafting process.

He said some Bermudian artists are so appalled by the planned restrictions that they are considering leaving the Island.

The draft regulations from Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox suggest prohibiting foreign artists from selling prints of their works.

And they propose that galleries alone should be allowed to show and sell the works of non-Bermudians and that they must be original works only.

Galleries would require work permits to show the work of foreign artists. A further suggestion in the draft regulations is that visiting artists would need permission from the Minister to hold seminars and workshops.

Dr. Zuill, a lecturer at Bermuda College, has written to Ms Cox protesting the proposals.

He told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "A friend said I had assisted in drafting this document, but there is not a word of truth in this.

"What they are proposing is probably well-intentioned but is completely misguided.

"Neither the National Gallery nor the Society of Arts have been consulted.

The art community has not been consulted at all.

"It seems obvious that someone has gone to Government with some sort of complaint about non-Bermudians working in Bermuda, but if anyone knows me they will know I believe in complete openness and inclusion, not the contrary, so I would have nothing to do with it.

"The document is written in such vague language that a lot of people don't know where they stand.

"It could be something very severe that will really damage the art community or it could be less, but overall I believe it could be damaging. It all depends on how it's implemented.

"If one is non-Bermudian and been granted the right to reside here and have done all the right things and gone though all the right channels, there is something fundamentally wrong in saying you can paint and sell but you can't make prints for sale.

"I am certain that if you were able to poll Bermudian artists, you would find the majority would think the same way I do.

"I've had some non-Bermudian artists come to me saying `come on man, you've got to help us'. I've heard some Bermudian artists saying they are threatening to leave, saying `if this is the way its going to be, maybe I need to rethink my staying here'.'' In his letter to Ms Cox, Dr. Zuill suggests that rather than protecting Bermudian artists, Government should consider helping them improve their marketing skills.

Dr. Zuill wrote: "The possible prohibition to the selling of prints by non-Bermudians in art galleries, by Government, would, in my opinion constitute a gross interference in what a business can sell.

"The Masterworks Foundation sells reproductions of the paintings in their collection. According to the new regulations, they would no longer be able to do this, at least that is how I read it.

"Heritage House Gallery sells Montague Dawson prints. He was a well-known English marine artist, now deceased, whose prints are popular with the yachting fraternity. If I read this correctly, they will no longer be able to do this either.'' He continued: "I am certain that should you be able to poll Bermudian artists, you would find that the majority think the way I do. Those who think otherwise are very much in the minority.'' Dr. Zuill said he intends to help promote art on the Island after he retires from the College at the beginning of this term.

He concludes: "The proposed new regulations on art from Government, while probably well intentioned, would, I think, be an inhibiting factor in the developments that I foresee.'' Poor drafting: Dr. Charles Zuill