COLOURFUL CULTURE

The island’s storied past and unparalleled beauty continue to inspire local artists, giving rise to an evolving arts scene. Perhaps the best place to discover it is in St. George’s, where local creatives have continued to preserve the old town’s archaic charm and honour its vibrant history through various art forms. Make your first stop at the Dragon’s Lair, a cooperative art gallery nestled below Water Street. Inside this idyllic oceanfront terrace, you will find a host of works by local artisans such as the widely celebrated Jill Amos Raine, who encapsulates quaint scenes of Bermudian life in watercolour paintings, or Ian Birch, who expertly crafts a variety of home décor items out of Bermuda’s aromatic cedar.

Also in St. George’s, shop for the perfect keepsake to take back home at the historic Lili Bermuda Perfumery located in Stewart Hall. This renowned perfume house captures the authenticity of Bermuda’s natural surroundings with every

BY ALISA BERNARDO

fragrance it creates. Be it luscious botanicals or woody notes of cedar, each bottle tells its own Bermudian story — a blissful extension to your tropical vacation each time you spritz it.

As you journey west of the island, be sure to stop in the central City of Hamilton. Despite this being the cosmopolitan hub of Bermuda, Hamilton is equally as colourful as its residential areas, with artistic expressions of street art and sculptures dotted around. Take in Bermuda’s national collection of art at the Bermuda National Gallery, located within the City Hall and Arts Centre. This dynamic institution combines modern works with select pieces from its world-class archive. Plus, admission fees are fronted for 2023 by the Christian Humann Foundation. Also taking up residence in City Hall is the Bermuda Society of Arts (BSoA), which actively serves Bermuda’s community of creatives. Its exhibits give precedence to the work of local artists, and themes rotate every three weeks — so there is always something new to discover.

Every Wednesday night from May to August, Front Street comes to life with the weekly fixture of Harbour Nights, where local artisans assemble roadside for you to browse or shop. As the sun sets, you’ll be treated to glowing vistas of Hamilton Harbour under the stars and traditional entertainment. Once you hear the infectious beat of drums, the iconic Bermuda Gombeys will emerge, commanding your attention. Dressed in colourful and embellished costumes, the Gombeys are a cultural symbol in Bermuda, influenced by a blend of African, Caribbean, and British cultures. Each choreographed dance is an artistic expression dating back to the 1800s when enslaved people were only permitted to dance once a year. Multigenerational troupes continue to pay tribute to the tragedies of the past in this lively art form at public holidays and stand-out events such as the annual Gombey Festival, which takes place in early October.

Venturing beyond Hamilton, there are two more noteworthy stops along Bermuda’s art and cultural route, the first being the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, located inside the Botanical Gardens. A diverse range of artwork, from talented up-and-coming local artists to the likes of Georgia O’Keeffe and Ogden Pleissner, is on display. A short drive will lead you to the artistic gem that is The Birdsey Studio. Tucked away in a residential area, this studio takes the form of a Bermuda cottage where respected artist Alfred Birdsey created his original works. Jo Birdsey Linberg occupies this space today, paying homage to her late father through watercolour.

Uncover more of Bermuda’s compelling past at the National Museum of Bermuda, located on the island’s western end. Its expansive grounds are home to a few informative exhibits that chronicle 500 years of Bermudan history. New to the museum is Homestead , a solo exhibition by local artist Meredith Andrews comprised of large-scale photographic portraits. Each portrait depicts the roots of a different Bermudian family as part of the museum’s mission to create a national scrapbook that weaves together the individual threads and stories of Bermudians into a larger tapestry of the island’s heritage.

BY VANESSA MOLINA SANTAMARIA