The winner of the $10,000 Charman art prize will be announced this week.The exhibit of entries will then open to the public in a display at the Butterfield Family Gallery at Masterworks.“It always draws a big crowd,” said gallery founder Tom Butterfield. “I think it is because a family member knows the artist so they come and they bring someone else. We bring in judges who know nothing about any of the artists or politics or shenanigans that can go on here.”This year’s judges are Doina Popescu, director of the Ryerson Image Centre in Ontario, appraiser and private dealer Betty Krulik and conservator John Slavin.The theme is Bermuda inspirations: artwork inspired by Bermuda that through the artist vision we can see Bermuda with a fresh eye.Mr Butterfield was impressed with how it was interpreted by the artists.“It is the quality of entries that keeps surprising me,” he said. “Each year you see something that is fresh and new. I love it. I think it is great. I love the Charman Prize because of what it does. It brings out a really good spirit in people. People have galvanised behind it.”The competition is named for Masterworks sponsor and patron, businessman John Charman.“My philanthropic pursuit is driven by a desire to build a platform for our community’s artistic expression,” he said. “A community without a common space to exhibit art is similar to crafting a ship without a body of water to launch it into and float upon.”The intention of the Charman Prize is to exhibit artwork inspired by Bermuda and to honour and support artists in the creation of their artwork.Four prizes of $2,500 will also be awarded as well as 12 honourable mention prizes of $100.Previous grand-prize winners works now form part of the permanent Masterworks’ Bermudiana Collection.The exhibit will have its grand opening on Friday from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. The awards ceremony will begin at 6.30pm.The show will be displayed until January 3. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 11am to 4.30pm. Admission is $5, free for members and children under 12.