Part of Front Street will become an open air art gallery this weekend when the Bank of Butterfield celebrates the Island's creative spirit with its fifth annual Grand Art Festival by the Sea.

The event will take place on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. in front of the Bank's head office, and is being held in collaboration with the Masterworks Foundation.

The art festival, which has become a local favourite among artists and art lovers alike, invited artists of all ages and abilities to interpret the theme, 'Bermuda...on my Mind', and the Bank says it is delighted with this year's response.

"Well over 150 pieces of artwork were submitted by artists of all ages, and the judges were very impressed with the variety and calibre of their entries," said Tracy Outerbridge, assistant vice president in the Bank's corporate communications department.

On Sunday the public will have an opportunity to view the festival entries and vote for their favourite in the 'People's Choice Award'.

A 'quick art' competition will also take place on the day, when artists will set up their easels before the festival opens at noon and thereafter create a painting which captures the essence of the event within a specific time frame.

"Quick art is a great event which gives visitors to the festival a chance to view a masterpiece in the making," said Tom Butterfield executive director of Masterworks Foundation.

The event will also include art and craft activities for adults and children, live entertainment, food vendors, and awards ceremony, and will take place rain or shine.