Local artists have less than two months to prepare for the eighth annual art competition organized by the Brookhaven Regional Arts Guild.

More than 100 entries were judge in last year’s competition. Registration for this year’s contest is Oct. 3. Each entry requires a $10 entry fee and there’s a maximum of three entries per artist.

Entries will be exhibited in the library throughout October.

Since BRAG was established, it has been devoted to keeping creative culture alive and well in Brookhaven through exhibitions, art walks, competitions, workshops and more.

A reception will be held Oct. 20 to reveal the winners. Guest judge at this year’s competition is Don Jacobs, a local artist and musician.

Jacobs doesn’t have a hard and fast rule for his judging technique. He just looks at the entry and makes a decision. “You have to see it,” he said. “I’m going by my own intuition and taste. You have to pick one and find one that’s above everything.”

BRAG president Rosemary Leggett said she’s always excited to see what people enter.

“We have some fantastic artists in the area, and we want all of them to participate,” she said.

Jacobs, who is also one of the coordinators behind Brookstock, a yearly music concert in Brookhaven, said music and the arts are important to the character of Brookhaven.

“There’s a lot of talent around Brookhaven in a lot of areas,” Jacobs said. “I’m all behind pushing it any way we can.”

Anyone 18 or older can participate in the art competition. Copies of paintings or nude images are not allowed, and BRAG will have a screening committee that may reject works they deem objectionable.

There are seven categories: acrylic, oil, pastel, watercolor, photographs, ceramics, mixed media, 3D and drawing. Prizes are given to first ($100), second ($75) and third places ($50) in each category, along with $10 for honorable mentions. There is also a $150 prize for best in show and $100 for people’s choice. People’s choice will be chosen by library patrons throughout the month of October and announced on the last day of the exhibition on Oct. 31.