It was a chance visit, but both the timing and the lighting were perfect for Gillian Outerbridge to snap what would become a winning photo.

Ms Outerbridge was at St. Peter's Church in St. George's when she spotted a technician restoring gold numerals on the building's clock face.

She captured the image and submitted it to Bermuda 2009 Open Call, a competition which judged visual art, dance, music or writing entries as part of the Island's 400th anniversary and was thrilled to be announced a winner.

Ms Outerbridge said: "When I had a call from the Communications and Cultural Affairs office asking if I would be at the event I thought maybe I would win a $100 gift certificate, so I was completely blown away to receive first prize."

Ms Outerbridge received $2,500 as did other winners: James Woolf for his song, 'Time for Change'; Shomeiko Ingham for her dance, 'Stormy Seas', and Candace Ray for her written work, 'Flag on the Reef', which won out over 26 other contestants.

Conchita Ming, chairman of the Bermuda 2009 Committee, said Government initially planned to commission works to celebrate the Island's anniversary. However, the committee suggested a competition open to the entire community might be a better idea.

In total 58 residents submitted works in keeping with the theme 'Celebrating Bermuda and Her People'.

Mrs. Ming said: "I would like to thank all who have submitted their works in this competition. There is so much talent in Bermuda we are thrilled to have had such an excellent representation across all of the disciplines."

Second place winners included Miles Manders, Joanne Burgess, Lauren Rowntree and Janet Wingate, who each received $1,500.

Youth winners were Saltus Grammar School, whose students contributed to a heritage quilt, and also John Seymour and Mikaela Joy Kawaley-Lathan who received a $1,000 scholarship with a matching grant from the Bermuda Arts Council. All other adult entrants received $100 each, while youth entrants were handed a $50 gift certificate from Bookmart.

The best works from each category are now being displayed at the Bermuda Society of Arts in City Hall.