The new education and community outreach officer at the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG) wants to use art to bring the community together.

Joanne Ball-Burgess took up the post earlier this week and is the author of children's books 'The Lizard & the Rock' and 'The Priceless Hogg Penny'.

"I feel that what we need more in Bermuda is collaboration," said Mrs. Ball-Burgess. "We all have great ideas, and many of us are working towards the same goals.

"Here, I have a lot of ideas, and lots of programmes that I want to start. Working in this position will allow me to accomplish those really well. I am an advocate for the performing and visual arts."

Her first day on the job included a visit from campers at Kaleidoscope the gallery runs an art summer camp programme in conjunction with the BNG.

She gave them a tour of the current 2010 Biennial Exhibition that opened at the BNG in June.

"I thought it was very meaningful to talk with the campers about not just art, but their perceptions of [it]," Mrs. Ball-Burgess said. "I have an ability to inspire others to create and to think bigger.

"When the campers came we looked at pieces from John A. Gardner, Louisa Flannery and Michael Walsh."

During the visit campers discussed and debated the meaning of various pieces in the show, and also made their own sketches of pieces they liked.

"They were able to develop their own meaning from looking at those pieces," said Mrs. Ball-Burgess. "They were able to come away feeling that they themselves were artists.

"It was amazing to see students as young as seven discussing art and even getting into stereotypes.

"The whole point was affirming those who spoke and letting them know that there is no right or wrong answer."

Mrs. Ball-Burgess is in the process of completing her master's degree in education, which focuses on using the arts as a tool for student enrichment.

"I believe that we as Bermudians are very creative," she said. "My research has produced some very interesting findings.

"In a sample of 68 children from public and private schools, our children tested had a higher rate of creative response than the national average of students taking the test all over the world.

"If we give our students canvas to create, they will find their voice. They will find a way to express the way they are feeling."

So far, her local study has shown that students who are engaged in visual and performing arts do better at school.

"Art appreciation has always been a big part of my life," said Mrs. Ball-Burgess.

She has two young sons, Zahari, three, and Yeshai, four, and she enjoys taking them to art galleries.

"I bring my sons here, on a good day, making sure they are calm, and not in the mood to tear the paintings off the walls," she said with a laugh. "They enjoyed it the last time we were here.

"At that time there was a Vivienne Gardner stained glass exhibition. They were very interested in that."

Mrs. Ball-Burgess' primary objective in September will be to engage more schools and students with the art on display in the gallery, while developing their critical thinking and art appreciation skills.

"The BNG is fortunate to have Mrs. Ball-Burgess join the team," said BNG director Lisa Howie. "She brings a passion for the arts and art education; academic research that adds much to the ongoing advocacy for arts education; and rich community understanding, both as a writer and teacher."

Mrs. Ball-Burgess said it gave her "great joy" as an artist, author and researcher to join the BNG in this capacity.

She has also been experiencing success lately with her books.

When she wrote 'The Lizard & the Rock' which was published in 2008 she also wrote music and songs to go with it.

One of the songs has experienced some play time on local radio.

This week, the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce featured music from 'The Lizard & the Rock' at Harbour Nights, to celebrate the end of the school year.

"I recently had a mascot of Sam the Lizard made up," she said. "Sam the Lizard made his second appearance ever, at Harbour Nights."