Families flocked to the Botanical Gardens to enjoy the tenth annual Butterfield Bank Arts Festival yesterday. [NOTE]Sun[\NOTE]

Among the child-friendly activities on offer during the free event was a butterfly mural, which youngsters queued up to contribute to. Visitors also watched local artists in action as they worked on paintings at choice spots throughout the garden, and took in Gombey and Salsa dance performances.

One of the participants, Antoine Lambert, 35, paints as a hobby outside of his main job as an electrician. He entered four oil paintings on a tree theme in the competition, commenting: “The festival has a good atmosphere and the children especially are enjoying it. It’s good for them to be able to participate too.”

Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said she was excited to see so many people in the gardens outside of the Annual Exhibition, and stressed the importance of art in helping people to find “peace and calm”.

Among the winners in the various categories were:

* Senior: Audrey Morbey

* Special: Troy Landy

* Professional: Milton Hill

* Adult: Richard Lee

* 21 and under: Rachel Little

* 16 and under: Madeline Rose White

* 12 and under: Lulu Hedstrom

* Seven and under: Sophia Johnson.