THE Bailiff has called for an al fresco art exhibition which opened in St Helier yesterday to be seen as an ‘artistic or cultural appetiser’ for a planned National Gallery.

Sir Philip Bailhache spoke of his enthusiasm for the plans as he opened the Sure Street Gallery — a collection of Jersey’s most famous paintings which will be displayed on buildings in town during the summer.
Weighbridge

He said that the free exhibition should whet appetites for a national gallery, which could be built in the Weighbridge square.

Sir Philip said: ‘This exhibition is an artistic or cultural appetiser. Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors it is indeed free to the public. But, more importantly, it will bring just a few of the fine paintings in the Jersey collection into public view and may stimulate some thought as to what a National Gallery of Jersey could do for the Island.

*Picture: Jurat John de Veulle of Jersey Heritage, Eddie Saints, CI chief executive of sponsors Cable & Wireless, Sir Philip Bailhache and curator of art Louise Downey beneath the unveiled painting of the Death of Major Peirson