The artistic talent of the future will be the focus of the Bermuda Society of the Arts "Emerging Artists" exhibit this Friday, a show dedicated to those fresh on the palette.

The limelight will be shining on a group of local artists who have only recently gone public with their talents - within the last three years. That is the rule for this un-juried member's show.

All media, from pinhole photography to oil, has been accepted for this particular exhibit, however.

Artists Robin Trimingham, Gerren Daniels, Carol-Anne Tuntate, Kate Waters, Tania Logan, Chris Astwood, Margaret Simmons, Billy West, Kevin Morris, Arantxa Mayers, Vivian Stella-Phillips, Lenor Leitch, and Sarah Cook will be showing works which curator Peter Lapsley says focus on the space where contemporary meets traditional.

"The problem in Bermuda is we are a very economy driven society, we have to sell to cover the costs of producing the art and for those who make it their career the expensive cost of living," he said.

"But in Bermuda the vibrant art community is the reason why we have 42 shows a year.

"It pushes people forward. Bermuda is a wonderful place to cut your teeth and get your work out there. The experience of showing one's work is very important.

"The market is now far more accepting of a wide variety of art.

"There's now a market for more abstract art, the whole field is opening up to take on more things, but with a continued market for more traditional mediums and subjects."

Well-known Bermuda artists Graham Foster and Jonah Jones first burst onto the scene in juried and un-juried members shows such as "Emerging Artists". Mr. Lapsley said these are considered "safe shows".

"People take advantage of that," he said.

"These un-themed, un-juried shows have been the best lately because people are feeling free to put in whatever they want. Sometimes you find lovely work by people, who had not shown before."

He added: "That is definitely a good indication of people feeling comfortable to go out and create things in a manner in which they choose, whether it's a traditional landscape or completely abstract.

"We have both room and appreciation for all."

Un-juried shows have seen an increase in people flow and sales and local Bermudians tend to buy more than tourists, he said.

But, he added, in Bermuda landing a major show can just be a matter of asking.

"The National Gallery's Bacardi Biennial is the highest end show and if you are confident enough to enter the professionally juried Biennial then that is the next logical step in terms of exhibiting within the Bermudian visual arts community."

Deadline for the Bacardi Biennial is January 16 for slides and February 11 for call backs.

Art enthusiasts can expect a strong first showing from the artists featured on Friday, Mr. Lapsley said.

"I'm pleased with the pieces. I like to get a lot of work. It's a good standard and the pieces cover a breadth from realism to completely abstract work, some collage, oils, acrylic, and photography."

The "Emerging Artists" exhibit opens with a reception at 5.30 p.m. in the Bermuda Society of Arts at City Hall.