THE deadline for the Bridge Capital 11th Annual Art Competition is on April 3 as organizers continue to encourage artists of all media to compete for over $15,000 in total prizes.

Julie Duenas, Bridge Capital office manager, said their company hopes to highlight all the ways Marianas residents can be creative. 

“We invite everyone to participate — photography, painting, drawing, wood carving, sculpture and digital art as well,” she said.

According to the official competition rules, eligible participants can submit up to two works of art.

All artworks must be physically delivered to the Bridge Capital office at 1057 Micro Beach Road by 5 p.m. on April 3, Wednesday. The Bridge Capital office is located adjacent to Marianas Creations and Everest Kitchen. 

Submissions should be in the form of traditionally accepted artistic materials and techniques, including 2-D art such as painting, drawing, collage and photography, and 3-D art, which includes sculpture, metal work, carving, modeling, casting, pottery, glassblowing, etc. 

Digital artwork must be printed and framed on canvas or photo paper. 

The contest is open to any person who has resided continuously in the CNMI for at least a year prior to Feb. 26, 2024. 

Every artwork entered in the competition is eligible to win three prizes: the Best of Show Award, the Governor’s Choice Award, and either 1st or 2nd prize in the category in which the artwork was entered. 

The rules stipulate that “although one person may submit up to two artworks to the competition, only one artwork can win prizes.” 

Prize categories are as follows: 

Best of Show wins $2,000; painting and drawing, $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place; photography $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place; open category, $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place; age category, 12-17, $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place; age category, 11 and under, $750 for first place and $500 for second place; and the Governor’s Choice Award, $1,000. 

Duenas said in the five years she’s been at Bridge Capital, the annual art competition has highlighted the “magnitude of talent” present in the CNMI. 

“We definitely have a lot of talented individuals,” she said. “I’m really impressed by the talent that we have in the CNMI.”