The David L. White Collection and Vivienne J. Gardner: A Tribute opens at the Bermuda National Gallery tonight.

In a coup for the Gallery, the shows will be opened by Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Mr. Thomas P. Campbell.

Gary Phillips, BNG chairman, said of Mr. Campbell's visit: "This is a significant endorsement of the leadership, the curatorial excellence, and the art educational programming at the BNG."

The David L. White Collection captures impressions of Bermuda's scenic landscape through luminous shadows and vibrating light. This comprehensive collection of paintings traces the development of art in America during the beginning of the 20th Century, from late American Impressionism to early Modernism.

Mr. White said of the artists in the introduction to his collections book 'Cross Currents: Impressions of Bermuda (2009)': "Most, if not all, of them are by American Impressionist painters who came to Bermuda to escape the northeast United States winters. "Their painting style was heavily influenced by French Impressionism and all of them studied in Paris or had been taught by people who had studied there."

Lisa Howie BNG director said Mr. White's collection provided a powerful and captivating aesthetic experience.

"The museum is literally alight with Bermuda's beauty," she said. "That such aestheticism is offset by the tragedies affecting our world, further communicates the therapeutic values of art. The exhibition is a must for all of Bermuda and her guests to come and enjoy a few moments of respite from the outside word, while rekindling understanding of the importance of our delicate environment and how this must be sustained at all costs."

The Vivienne J Gardner: A Tribute is an exhibition, sponsored by Endurance, highlighting the artist's stained glass artwork; it too places the viewer in a realm of pure experience.

Harnessing light and manipulating it through a complex composition of colour and tone, Gardner's stained glass windows, properly mounted in light windows, create feelings of sheer awe. "I am so thrilled with the craftsmanship that professionally displays these delicate stained glass artworks," said Mrs. Howie. "Visitors to the BNG, especially those familiar with previous exhibitions, may be equally astonished at how the Watlington Room has been transformed."

BNG Curator Sophie Cressall added: "Vivienne Gardner has rarely exhibited. To see a body of her work on display, essentially for the first time, is a moving experience.

"In terms of Bermuda's developing art, Gardner's talent and medium are unique and most definitely on an internationally recognised level of skill. We are very proud to be able to host this exhibition.

"Many of her artworks are on display in local churches and I'm sure their beauty has moved many. However, does the public fully appreciate the delicate skill and concept that makes these windows? I encourage Bermuda's community to visit to learn more about this beautiful art form."

The exhibition is open until June 3.