The 10th National Art Competition and Exhibition organised by the Malta Society of Arts, Manfactures and Commerce will be inaugurated at Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta on Thursday.

This annual exhibition, curated by E.V. Borg, will be open to the public from Friday to October 22.

In the sculpture category, 17 artists are presenting 27 works, with 74 works by 61 artists in the painting category. The works cover a wide spectrum. Sculptures include works in wood, hard stone, soft stone, bronze, terracotta, ceramics, gesso, wire, papier-mâché and an installation in marine plywood.

The painting section includes sea, land and streetscapes, portraits, abstracts, graphics, sacred art and works featuring man and animal as protagonists. Professional artists, amateurs, a sprinkling of foreigners living in Malta and those who regard art as therapeutic or a hobby are participating.

The society is publishing a commemorative 100-page colour catalogue of the exhibition. It includes all 101 works on show, a short historical note on the society, a report about the restoration phases that has made Palazzo de La Salle a modern centre for the arts, and an index of participating artists that serves as a dictionary, directory and reference book.

The catalogue will be available at the exhibition. The recently restored courtyard with a sliding metal-glass roof will serve as the exhibiting space for a number of sculpture pieces.