The Leisure Artists' Group of The International American Women's Club Bermuda (IAWC) will be opening its third annual art show in the Edinburgh Gallery of the Bermuda Society of Arts at City Hall.

The show will take place on Friday April 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be open until Friday May 1.

The IAWC was formed in 1981 and includes women from many cultures and countries of the world. The Leisure Artists' Group is one of many groups organised by and for Club members, and has proven to be one of its fastest growing activities.

The Group provides a forum for learning new skills, experimenting with different ideas and mediums, and above all, for sharing an interest in and love of art.

Its members meet once a week in each others' homes to paint and draw together and to share creative experiences and knowledge.

The Group is also visited regularly by professional artists -- both local and from overseas -- who demonstrate their techniques and provide individual assistance to members.

*** Under the Distinguished patronage of Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Yvette Swan, Lee and Buttons Productions will be holding Bermuda's first poetry explosion contest on March 27 at St. Paul's Centennial Hall at 7.30 p.m.

There will be two categories. The first, from ages 14 to 20, will feature a $200 first prize, $100 second prize and $50 third prize. Each winner will also receive a trophy and certificate.

The second category is age 21 and over. The first prize winner will receive $300, second prize is $200 and third prize is $100. All winners receive a trophy and certificate.

The poems must be three to four minutes in length and participants must read one poem that night that they have either written themselves or gotten from another poet whose name must be mentioned. There will be three judges on hand.

Organiser Lee Edmead said: "Let's bring poetry alive in the community.

Tickets are $10 each at the door, patrons $20.