A group of artists who have contributed artwork to be sold in the National Gallery’s Big Art Auction recently got a chance to see round the new building their art donations are helping to pay for.

The National Gallery’s new building which is not quite finished yet, is situated near to Camana Bay just off the Esterly Tibbetts Highway. It will provide the Gallery with an ‘art home’ which students, artists, teachers, archivists and researchers can use as a central art resource.

“The new National Gallery and Education Centre will be a wonderful resource for the entire community and provide a fitting framework for Cayman’s cultural heritage at its best,” said Gallery Director, Natalie Urquhart, who showed the artists around the new facility.

100 % of the proceeds from the donated artwork sold during the Big Art Auction on the 24th November will go to the NGCI Capital fund, which is being used for the final costs of finishing off the new building.

The new development addresses urgent needs in terms of the Gallery’s infrastructure by providing a new permanent gallery for the National Art Collection, increased temporary exhibition space, an art studio, as well a larger administration area.

“One of the most exciting developments will be a new gallery dedicated for a permanent display of Caymanian art, so that visitors will be able to see the very best art Cayman has to offer whenever they like”, Ms Urquhart said.

The space afforded by the 9000 square foot building also offers a dedicated gallery for special exhibitions, an auditorium, a visual arts learning centre and an arts & culture library.

There is also going to be a fine art studio and a multipurpose area for events and outdoor exhibitions, as well as a sculpture garden.

The new building is housed on 4 acres of land, which will mean there is plenty of room for events and attractions inside as well as outside.

Mrs Urquhart added: “The accessible location and increased space will enable us to host a vibrant and diverse exhibition schedule and the first permanent gallery for the National Art Collection.

“With our purpose built art studio, library and learning centre, we will continue our dynamic educational programme offering more learning opportunities than ever before.”

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