second annual Grand Art Festival by the Sea gets underway.

More than 200 artists, including schoolchildren, adults, seniors and professionals have submitted works of art illustrating the theme "My Bermuda'' for the competition, organised by the Masterworks Foundation and sponsored by the Bank of N.T. Butterfield.

The works will be on display opposite the Front Street entrance of the bank from midday.

A panel of three judges has already selected winning works in the six different age group categories, but members of the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite piece of art in The People's Choice competition. Last year more than 3,000 people voted in the competition.

And artists who are quick on the draw will be able to take part in a feature new to this year's event.

Artists can take part in a "Quick Art'' competition by producing a work that captures all the atmosphere of the festival -- the one rule being that they have to create their masterpiece in no more than five hours.

Interested artists should register at the parking lot opposite the bank between 10 a.m. and noon and submit their work by 3 p.m.. The winning entry will pick up a trip for two to Paris.

The festival will be followed by a three-hour Island Flavours musical concert on Front Street, which will kick off at 5 p.m.

The concert line-up includes The Bermuda Strollers, The Tropical Islanders, Piece of the Rock, Island Steel, Prestige and Limbo Fun.