On the final leg of its journey across the island, the National Visual Arts Exhibition travelling showcase opened at the Bloomfield Great House in Mandeville on Thursday, November 19, featuring more than 100 medal- and merit-winning works from the 2009 Competition.

The travelling exhibition started in September at the Port Maria Civic Centre in St Mary, then moved to the Montego Bay Civic Centre in St James in October, and features the top works from a total of 218 pieces which were awarded and featured in the major national exhibition in July.

The exhibition represents the combined efforts of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and the National Gallery, with sponsors the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and Digicel Jamaica.

"We take the art to the people," said Sana Rose-Savage, visual arts coordinator at the JCDC.

"We also go into major tourist towns which assist in the promotion of our local artists," she added. Savage also reported an increase in the number of entries received for the competition. There were more than 500 entrants submitted for his leg, and over 900 works collectively across all parishes.

Interested persons may view the exhibition free of cost during regular opening hours; Mondays to Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until December 11.