For the past seven years Butterfield Bank has given a $5,000 award to a visual arts student, but this year it has not only doubled the value of the award but also the number of recipients.

"We have done this for two reasons," Tracy Outerbridge, assistant vice-president, marketing and communications, says. "Firstly, over the years we have seen students studying a variety of arts: film, photography, jewellery design, fashion design and graphic design, as well as those studying the fine arts: painting and sculpture. It has been increasingly challenging to judge a fine artist against an applied artist, so now we have an award for both.

"Secondly, we see the value of encouraging Bermudians of any age who have a passion for art to pursue their dreams and help keep a love of the arts alive in the community."

Asked what made the Bank committee settle on Peter Lapsley and Melanie Eddy as this year's awardees over the other applicants, Miss Outerbridge summed the decision up in one word: Passion.

"Their passion stood out ? all the years they have invested in their art. It is probably something they have done since childhood. They really had the spark, and it was like 'Wow'."

Past recipients include Joseph Mathias and Sheree Richardson, Meredith Andrews, Maurice Masters, Michele Mayho, Summer Wood, Justin Kempe and William West.