BNG Hosts Junior Bermuda Biennial
Nearly 200 people attended the opening of the 2026 Junior Bermuda Biennial at the Bermuda National Gallery, celebrating the artistic talents of young Bermudians aged 5 to 17.
A spokesperson said, “Close to 200 people attended the opening of the 2026 Junior Bermuda Biennial on Saturday, November 7. The Bermuda National Gallery was filled with young artists, families and friends, who all came together with the Governor and Mayor of Hamilton to celebrate Bermudian artists aged 5 to 17.
“Guests enjoyed live music by Prince who, at the age of 16, is the Principal Violist of Vivace Quartet under the Menuhin Foundation and a member of the Bermuda Philharmonic. A curated selection of child-friendly canapes was created by Take Five Limited, including art palette shaped cookies created specifically for this event. Drinks, which included Orangina and sparkling water served in plastic champagne flutes for the young artists, were generously donated by Barritts. There were also several activities for children to take part in, including temporary tattoos featuring artworks in the exhibition and a chance to customize limited edition Junior Biennial tote bags. Somersfield student Olivia Lemay-Arias helped to plan the stations at the event during a day she spent shadowing BNG staff.
“Launched two years ago, the Junior Bermuda Biennial forms part of the wider Bermuda Biennial, BNG’s flagship exhibition which has been running for over three decades and provides a key platform for Bermuda’s contemporary artists. The 2026 Junior Bermuda Biennial was juried by Molly Bretton, Director of Outside In, UK, who also juried the inaugural Junior Bermuda Biennial in 2024.”
“We had an extraordinary response to the first exhibition – not only in the number of artwork submissions, but also in the way that the exhibition moved audiences of all ages, residents and visitors alike,” said Jennifer L. Phillips, Executive Director of the Bermuda National Gallery. “This reaffirmed something that we strongly believe at BNG: that young artists deserve the same professionalism and respect we extend to their adult peers, and their works is worthy of presentation at the same high standard we hold for our world-class exhibitions.”
The spokesperson said, “Molly Bretton [pictured above] flew in from London for the weekend’s celebrations. Together with Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation and the BNG team she co-hosted a Junior Bermuda Biennial preview tour and art making workshop hosted at the Bermuda National Gallery on Sunday. She will also be visiting several schools while she is on island.”
“Witnessing the talent and insight in the submissions for this year’s show has been as inspiring as it has been humbling,” says Bretton. “The works on display range from paintings and sculptures celebrating play and personal passions to portraits exploring community and belonging. You’ll see profound observations of our natural world right alongside intimate reflections on identity and emotion. This exhibition gives us a chance to encounter the world through young people’s eyes: curious, imaginative, humorous, playful, and constantly changing.”
The spokesperson said, “The 2026 Junior Bermuda Biennial is on display at the Bermuda National Gallery through to February. The exhibition is sponsored by an anonymous donor, with support from Skyport. Admission is free and made possible by The Christian Humann Foundation. For further information, or to arrange a free class tour, visit www.bng.bm.”
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