Tonight, the winner of the third Charman Prize will be announced at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art with the artist receiving a $10,000 award.

The competition is open to Bermudian artists resident on the Island as well as non-Bermudians who have been living here for six months prior to the entry deadline.

Sixty-nine submissions have been judged on four criteria: work that introduces a new direction in the Bermuda art scene; technical mastery of a chosen medium; a well-developed quality of imagination and individuality; a social commentary of insightful quality.

The judges for this year's competition were New York art dealer Susan Menconi, Masterworks artist-in-residence Barbara Russell and Philadelphia art critic James Toogood.

The Charman Prize was established in 2008 by businessman John Charman, an avid art collector. "I take great pride in sponsoring the third annual Charman Prize," he said.

"A nation without a vibrant art community is a nation missing part of its soul. Bermuda, being a relatively small jurisdiction sitting isolated in the middle of the Atlantic, is extraordinary when measured by the amount of artistic talent it draws from all segments of its diverse community."

Previous winners are Kathy Harriott in 2008 and Graham Foster in 2009. Their works now form part of the permanent collection. All works submitted into the competition will be available for sale apart from that of the grand prize winner.

A reception to announce the winner and display the art submitted, takes place between 5.30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Works will remain on display in the Butterfield Family Gallery until April 24. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5, but free for members and children under 12.