The 24th edition of the National Art Exhibition 2021, a flagship art venture by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), will begin on June 29.Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the biennale exhibition will be a virtual event this year for the first time in history, according to the academy. BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky and the its Director of Fine Arts department Syeda Mahbuba Karim shared the details of the exhibition at a virtual press conference on Sunday at BSA's official Facebook page. Read: Registration deadline for 24th National Art Exhibition extended to May 26State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will virtually inaugurate the month-long virtual exhibition on June 29 at 4 pm as the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony.Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Badrul Arefin will join the event as the guest of honor, while eminent artist Abdul Mannan will join the inauguration ceremony as the special guest.  BSA's Director of Fine Arts Syeda Mahbuba Karim will deliver the welcome speech and the inauguration ceremony will be chaired by BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky. At the virtual press briefing, the organizers said that of the 1000-plus artworks submitted by a total of 786 artists, the 347 artworks of different mediums and genres by 323 artists will be displayed at the 24th edition of this exhibition. Read:US Ambassador Miller visits art exhibition on PM at Cosmos Centre A five-member selection committee consisting of artists Mamun Kayser, Mahmuda Begum, Muslim Mia, Swapan Kumar Sikder, and Faruk Ahammad Molla selected the artworks for the exhibition this year. The organizers informed that a total of 157 paintings, 47 sculptures, 53 prints, 17 photographs, 18 installations, 10 oriental artworks, 20 crafts, 7 new media works, 5 graphics works, and 7 potteries will be on display, alongside 6 special performance art shows.In addition to these presentations, a special segment consisting of four art projects, curated by four renowned artists will also be displayed in this year's exhibition. A team of 10 artists in each group who worked under the curators Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Zihan Karim, Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, and Joydeb Roaja will display their works in this segment. final selection committee as the jury board to nominate the best artworks is comprised of noted artists Farida Zaman, Abdul Mannan, Abul Barq Alvi, Mostafa Sharif Anwar, Mustafa Zaman, and Syeda Mahbuba Karim. Read:Month-long art exhibition focuses on COVID-19, its impactEleven artists will receive the best awards in eleven categories, while five honorable mention awards will be given to five artists from different categories. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award 2021, the top award covering all categories, will honor the best artist in the exhibition. Additionally, there are five awards sponsored by different organizations. The awardees will receive cash prize money, certificates, medals, and crests. Started as a biennale back in 1975, the exhibition has earned recognition from art-lovers  as a festivity and celebration of modern artworks and crafts by artists from all over the country. Art enthusiasts can explore the 24th edition of this biennale exhibition from June 29 to July 31 at www.shilpakala.gov.bd and www.facebook.com/shilpakalapage.