Drawing off the success of years past, the Fine Arts Committee of the Brookhaven Trust will be hosting its fifth annual arts competition, giving aspiring artists a chance to show off their work and potentially land a cash reward.

“We are doing a couple different things this year,” said Ava Jane Newell, of the Fine Arts Committee, a branch of the Brookhaven Trust. Newell spoke on behalf of Nancy Hanks-Myers, the chairperson for the competition, who was out of town.

“I’m excited. I can’t wait to see what we end up getting,” Newell added.

More than a hundred people entered the competition last year, according to Newell. Due to the large number of entries last year, the organizers decided to create extra categories for the contest this year.

For example, last year there was a category for oils and acrylic; this year there will be two separate categories.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: oils, acrylic, watercolors, pastels and drawings, 3D and mixed media and photography.

Drawing on last year’s success, some of the cash awards will be double the amount they were in previous competitions. Best of show will land the artist $150, first place in the contest will pay out $100, second place $75 and third place $50. The People’s Choice Award, to be determined by the public, will land one lucky artist $100.

“We want to make this a great regional show. We are looking to get as much of southwest Mississippi involved this year,” said Hanks-Myer.

Artists 18 or older from southwest Mississippi are encouraged to submit their work during registration on Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lincoln County Public Library.

The artwork will be on display in the library the entire month of October. The awards reception will take place on Oct. 10 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the library.

The reception is open to the public. Following the reception, all artwork will remain in the library until the end of October for art enthusiasts to view.

Outside dimensions of any entry may be no larger than 48 inches in any direction and no heavier than 20 pounds.

Entry fee is $10 per entry, and contest participants are limited to a maximum of three entries, which may include oil, acrylics, water media, pastel and drawing, and/or photography. 3D and mixed media will be a combined category. All paintings must be properly framed or gallery wrapped with screw eyes and wire, ready for hanging.

Bob Tompkins, a longtime art teacher and the operator of an oil painting instruction school in Jackson, will be the judge for most of the contest categories.

The Bank of Brookhaven, Bank of Franklin, Melinda’s, Interior Attitudes and We Frame It will be just some of the local merchant sponsors at the competition.

Potential participants can find entry forms for the contest at any one of these businesses, as well as the Lincoln County Public Library.

Entry fee checks can be made payable to The Brookhaven Trust/Arts Council.