Supporting BNG
This week is National Volunteer Week and to celebrate we wanted to shine a light on some of the volunteers who play a vital role in supporting the BNG.
We have 30 active volunteers who work across various sectors of the gallery. Between them they donate close to 2,000 hours per year, the equivalent to a financial donation of $40,000.
We caught up with a couple of our volunteers to thank them for their time and to find out what volunteering at the Bermuda National Gallery means to them.
Holly Mazar-Fox
BNG: What do you do in your capacity as a volunteer?
H M-F: I’ve had the privilege of assisting the gallery with a few exciting projects, including brainstorming possible exhibitions ideas for the upcoming year. Most recently, I’ve been helping out with the education platform, creating the content for the activity books for kids related to the current Biennial and providing tours for school groups.
BNG: How did you start volunteering at the gallery and how long have you been there?
H M-F: I’m a new recruit and began volunteering in February of this year (2020).
BNG: What is your background and how are your skills able to benefit the gallery?
H M-F: I have an art history education in addition to work experience in the arts (across Canada, the US and the UK). My experiences within different sectors of the art industry enable me to assist the gallery team with delivering new endeavors through curation, education and community interaction.
BNG: Why is it important to you to support the BNG?
H M-F: It is important for me because institutions like the Bermuda National Gallery support brilliant and talented artists on the island whose voices need to be heard within a global art world. Art connects us and it is fitting for me to give my time to the gallery that in turn is a beacon for Bermudian culture, creativity and connectivity.
BNG: What is the most enjoyable part of your role?
H M-F: Sharing my passion and knowledge of art with others. I sincerely believe that art should be accessible to all. I am passionate about helping the team to bring new audiences to the gallery and new art enthusiasts through the doors. I love (and strive!) to ignite a lifelong passion in young people about the beauty of art and its study.
Dr Charles Zuill
BNG: What do you do in your capacity as a volunteer?
CZ: As A volunteer over the years since the BNG opened isn 1992, I have done many different things. As chair of the exhibitions committee from 1992 to 1999, I was involved with promoting exhibitions and often generating exhibitions.
From 1999 to 2005 I was away from Bermuda, teaching art history at Andrews University in Michigan but was in constant contact with the BNG and was frequently back in Bermuda. It was at this time I stepped down as an active BNG trustee and became a Founding Trustee.
After my return to Bermuda in 2005, I was asked to chair the Collections Committee. This I did until I left Bermuda this past January to once again teach art history temporarily in Tennessee, filling in for a professor who was going on a sabbatical. This was cut short because of the the Coronavirus. pandemic. Thus I find myself back in Bermuda, but in lockdown ever since my return almost six weeks ago.
BNG: What is your background and how are your skills able to benefit the gallery?
CZ: I was involved on the initial steering committee that did the legwork for establishing the BNG. That was an amazing team and that we were able to pull it off, when other earlier attempts had failed is still as great wonder to me.
BNG: Why is it important to support the BNG?
CZ: The arts are vital in that it makes tangible the identity and soul of a community.
BNG: What is the most enjoyable part of your role?
CZ: I have had a life-long love of the arts and I enjoy sharing that love. The Bermuda National Gallery is an important venue for me to share that passion. Also at the BNG I have met so many others who likewise have that passion. That is always a source of great joy.
Gail Geiger
BNG: What do you do as in your capacity as a volunteer?
GG: I have the pleasure of opening the doors of the gallery on a Saturday morning. From 10am to 12 noon I welcome visitors to the Gallery and introduce them to the current exhibit.
BNG: How long have you been volunteering for?
GG: Over six years now.
BNG: What is your background and how are your skills able to benefit the gallery?
GG: Back in the day when Laura Gorham was the director of the BNG, I worked at the gallery as the registrar. It is during this time that I learned the importance of handling and caring for art works.
BNG: Why is it important to you to support the BNG?
GG: It is important to me for visitors to see what magnificent exhibits are presented and how talented our local artists are. My volunteering along with many others makes this possible.
BNG: What is the most enjoyable part of your role?
GG: I’m always amazed to see the reaction and hear the response from first time local visitors to BNG. They are surprised to see world class exhibits so close to home. It’s like they found the gem of City Hall!
If you possess a love of art and would like to get involved at the Bermuda National Gallery please email volunteer@bng.bm