The Royal Gazette will sponsor you during our "hurricane'' art competition which will be featured in the Hurricane Supplement to be published on May 26.

Did you ever wonder what happens to our sea creatures, small land animals such as tree frogs, crabs, toads, snails, lizards, birds, chickens, and rabbits during and after a hurricane? What if you were a brain coral attached to a reef? How would you feel with pounding waves beating against you? Or you might be a tree, defenceless against strong winds and waves. The Royal Gazette invites kids to think about this and send us your creative works. Pretend that you are one or more of the above beings. How would you look and feel during or after a hurricane? Draw us a painting and get it to us as soon as possible before May 18 at 5 p.m.

Over the years Bermuda has weathered many hurricanes. The natural environment is often the "unnoticed victim.'' Did you know that fish sense approaching storms as wave energy increases and move to safe locations? The same is true for birds in the air; they are sensitive to rising winds and falling pressures and find shelter in woodlands. Dr. David Wingate has said: "A lot of migrant birds can be trapped in the eye, and if this travels over Bermuda they will settle on the land.'' More information on this subject will be covered in the Gazette 's Hurricane Supplement.

Here are the contest rules: Kids ages five and ten may participate.

Paintings must be done on a blank piece of 9 x 12 white art paper.

Paintings must be done with a choice of crayons, watercolours, or pastels, or any combination of the three mediums.

Each painting must have a written caption, followed by name and age on the bottom right of the painting. Your phone number should be on the back. If you don't have a phone use the number for your school.

One kid in each age category from age five to ten will receive a certificate and a prize from "Artcetera'' located on Burnaby Hill, Hamilton. The winners photographs will appear in the Hurricane Supplement along with the winning paintings on May 26. We will show as many other works as our space permits.

All paintings will be displayed by age on the glass foyer of The Royal Gazette until May 31. Everyone is invited to stop by and view, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Works will need to be collected by June 1).

Paintings will be judged at The Royal Gazette foyer by Marlee Robinson, Curator of National Gallery of Arts, and Peggy Kett, President of Bermuda Children's Society, on May 20 9.30 a.m. Winners will be phoned.

Paintings may be mailed or hand delivered to The Royal Gazette , 2 Par-la-ville Road, Hamilton.

Any questions call Beverley Causey-Smith at 295-5881 Ext. 246.