Forty-one artists will have their works included in this year's Bacardi Ltd. Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary Bermuda Art presented in association with CellularOne and held at the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG).

They are: Charles Anderson, Meredith Andrews, Laura Bell, Carmel Byrne, Will Collieson, Dana Cooper, Daniel Dempster, Daniel DeSilva, Frank Dublin, Mark Emmerson, Amy Evans, Vaughan Evans, Kendra Ezekiel, Lee Finch, Louisa B. Flannery, Graham C. Foster, Sue Grass, Katherine Harriott;

Sheilagh Head, Simon Hodgson, Jason Jones, Jonah Jones, Peter Lapsley, Jon Legere, Mark Lombardi, Heather MacDonald, Ian Macdonald-Smith, Suzanne Miller, Kevin Morris, Betsy Mulderig, Graeme Outerbridge, Rebecca Payne, Bryan Ritchie, Edwin Smith, Bruce Stuart, Amanda Temple, Caroline Troncossi, Martha Vaughan, Billy West, Glen Wilks, Sharon Wilson and Dr. Charles Zuill.

The 41 successful artists were chosen by international jurors Kendal Henry and Bruce Katsiff from a record 96 artists who submitted 413 pieces. In total, the jurors chose 82 works by the selected artists for the sixth Biennial, which opens at the BNG on May 1 and continues through September 3.

Mr. Henry, who is manager of the permanent art programme for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts for Transit, New York, and Mr. Katsiff, who is director and CEO of the James A. Michener Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, were unequivocal in their praise of the high standard of work submitted.

In a joint statement, the jurors said the selected works ? which range from paintings, drawings and photography to collages, sculptures, conceptual works and a first-ever video installation ? "reflects the sophistication, knowledge and experience of any artist living in our modern world".

The upcoming exhibition, which features work completed in the last two years by Bermudian and resident artists, includes new work by established and familiar Biennial exhibitors such as Graham Foster, Sharon Wilson, Graeme Outerbridge, Charles Zuill, Will Collieson, Kevin Morris, and Vaughan and Amy Evans.

But also are first-time Biennial entries from established artists like Mark Emmerson, Sheilagh Head and Kendra Ezekiel; and a wave of exciting new names such as Billy West, Rebecca Payne, Sue Grass, Kathy Harriott and Frank Dublin.

Laura Gorham, director of the BNG, said: "Undoubtedly, this will be a strong show ? arguably the strongest we have seen since the Biennial started in 1994.

"It demonstrates a maturity, diversity and depth of quality that is absolutely remarkable for a community of Bermuda's size. In our opinion, it stands comparison with any contemporary art worldwide.

"We are extremely grateful for the experience and knowledge Mr. Henry and Mr. Katsiff brought to a very tough selection process. They were jurors of the highest standard, and we would like to thank our sponsors, Bacardi Limited and Cellular One for their generous support which enables us to bring in jurors of their calibre."

BNG curator David Mitchell said the 2004 exhibition will be notable both for the new directions being taken by established artists and for the emergence of new ones.

The Biennial will open to the public on May 1, and a special full-colour catalogue will be published to coincide with the exhibition.