As Bank of Bermuda gets set to break ground on its new building on the site of the former Trimingham?s store, it has joined with Bermuda Society of Arts to launch an art competition.

The winning entries in the competition will be displayed around the bank?s construction site along Reid and Front Streets on a banner, offering artists wider exposure than the usual gallery-based exhibit.

Members of the BSoA are asked to submit photographs of their artwork for consideration and the pieces for display will be selected by a panel of judges. As many as 75 submissions will be displayed.

Bank of Bermuda chief executive officer Philip Butterfield said the idea to display the work of local artists on the fencing came as a result of the highly successful, window artwork display the bank had up earlier in the year.

?As we were awaiting Planning approval, we took the opportunity to promote the work of local artists and charities in the windows of 39 Front Street,? he said.

?As a result over 50 pieces of local art were sold and various community events were promoted.?

With construction on the bank?s new headquarters set to start in the next few weeks, the bank elected to try a similar approach at the work site.

?We were again in a position to promote local art while at the same time making the work site more aesthetically pleasing,? said Mr. Butterfield.

BSoA director Victoria Evans said the competition would offer great exposure for its members and hoped it would encourage even more art enthusiasts and patrons to join the BSoA.

?I am very excited at the opportunity presented to members by this initiative and would encourage all of our members to take full advantage of this,? said Mrs. Evans.

?Members can submit high-resolution digital photographs of as many pieces of artwork as they please, on CD, to the BSoA Gallery, City Hall, Hamilton. While anyone interested in the artwork on display will be able to obtain further details by contacting the BSoA directly.?

The entry deadline for submissions is December 20.

To sign up, email the BSoA at , including your name, the number of pieces you are entering and your contact information.

Artwork submitted can be in any medium and fall under any theme.

A panel from the Bank of Bermuda, AAC and the BSoA board of directors will do the judging.

The fencing will be erected at the end of year and it is expected that the artwork will be on display through February as internal stripping of the building begins on the site.