The deadline for a Government-organised anti-violence art competition is just weeks away.

Entries for the Live. Love. Life. Anti-Violence Art Exhibition are due between January 31 and February 10.

The event, a collaboration between the Ministry of National Security and Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, will highlight work about violence reduction in the community.

Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said: “Since we announced our exhibition, we’ve been very encouraged with the level interest and feedback from the community.

“People truly have a desire to be creative and this initiative has presented a purposeful opportunity for them to share their talents.”

The Minister added that while crime and antisocial behaviour was down last year, several incidents of violence were reported in the lead-up to Christmas.

Mr Caines said: “This is regrettable. We thank the Bermuda Police Service and the Gang Violence Reduction Team led by Pastor Leroy Bean for their efforts to curb the antisocial behaviour over the holiday season.

“However we believe that there are multiple ways to address this issue.

“The Live. Love. Life. Anti-Violence Art Exhibition seeks to engage our community through creativity.” The entries will be exhibited at the Masterworks between February 28 and March 6.

As part of the exhibition $9,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in the categories of painting, mixed media, digital media, animation and photography.

There is no age limit for entrants.

All submissions should be delivered to the Masterworks in the Botanical Gardens, Paget.

For more information, e-mail jscott@gov.bm.