National Gallery of the Cayman Islands: August 2023 Newsletter
National Gallery of the Cayman Islands: August 2023 Newsletter
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Monthly News: August 2023
3rd Cayman Islands Biennial: Award Winners Announced
On Thursday, 13 July 2023 featured artists of the 3rd Cayman Islands Biennial and their guests, government officials Hon. Bernie Bush., Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and Chief Officer Theresa Echenique, and exhibition sponsors Butterfield gathered to celebrate the creativity of everyone involved in the Biennial and announce the exhibition’s winning artists.
In the Emerging Artists Award category, Certificates of Commendation were awarded to Latoya Francis and Kerri-Anne Chisholm for ‘Written in the Foundations’, and Rochelle Miller for ‘Rolling Calf’ & ‘Duppy’. The Emerging Artist Award was presented to Alyssa Gilbert for ‘Celia’, a portrait of the artist embodying Long Celia, an enslaved woman in Cayman who went to trial in 1820.
In the Bendel Hydes Award category, a Certificate of Commendation was presented to Babbity Barwick for her ceramic vessels ‘Red and Black’, inspired by mangrove wetlands. The evening’s overall prize, the Bendel Hydes Award, was presented to Kaitlyn Elphinstone for ‘Artificial Rendering Series’, a collaboration with DALLE.E2 (AI) that shows distorted historical photographs which are further edited by the artist using appliques, textiles and 3D-printed parts.
Both winning artists were presented with a Caymanite stone award handcrafted by Horacio Esteban. Along with this, the winning artist of the Bendel Hydes Award received a monetary prize and the opportunity to develop a solo exhibition with the National Gallery. The winner of the Emerging Artist Award was awarded a monetary grant towards a residency programme or training opportunity.
In the Future Past: Bryony Dixon New Sister Islands exhibition opens 8 AugustFeaturing a series of portraits providing an intimate glimpse into the every day lives of generations of Caymanians, this new photography exhibition is presented by the National Gallery and the Cayman Brac Heritage House, opening on 8 August at the Heritage House. Learn More.
Caribbean Film Screenings at Gram Bella’s 12 August, 7:00-9:00PMIndulge in a Saturday evening of short films produced by Cayman and Caribbean filmmakers, hosted by Biennial partner venue Gram Bella’s in North Side.Learn more here.
Conversation Circle Events5 & 25 AugustJoin us for intimate round-circle discussions about the past and its presence in the contemporary moment, hosted at historic site throughout Cayman. On 5 August, Gram Bella’s in North Side will be hosting a Conversation Circle and Emancipation Day event. On 25 August, a Conversation Circle will be held at Mind’s Eye (Miss Lassie’s).
What’s On: Education
Family Fun Day12 August, 10:00AM – 1:00PMVisit the Gallery with little ones at this free family day. Enjoy activity sheets as you explore the exhibitions, and get creative with a guided studio art activity and pop-up outdoor art stations. Learn more.
Walkers Art Club RegistrationAvailable online 18 August, 9:00AM Registration for this popular free extracurricular art programme opens Friday, 18 August 2023 at 9:00AM. Weekly art classes for students of all ages and abilities are designed to enhance skills and expose students to local and international artists. Click here.
Teen Art Drop-In26 August, 12:00 – 1:00PMTeens are invited to drop in to our studio on the last Saturday of the month for a free art session. Join other like-minded individuals to create individual or collaborative projects while enjoying a quiet, mindful art space. Email [email protected] to learn more.
Intro to Drumming Course with Randy CholletteSaturdays, 10:00AM-12:00PM September 2, 9, 16 & 23Join artist and musician Randy Chollette for an exciting ‘Introduction to Drumming’ course. No prior experience necessary! Learn about the history and social role of drumming practice in the Cayman Islands and how this style of music-making contributes to wellness, then explore how to make sound and rhythm yourself with a series of short musical phrases. Spaces are limited. Contact [email protected] for more details and to register.
News & Special Features
Book Signing with Author Paullete McField12 August, 10:00AM – 1:00PMLocal author Paullete McField will be at the NGCI Gift Shop signing copies of her new children’s book, “The Adventures of Tim and Chippa” during our Family Fun Day on Saturday, 12 August. Purchase your copy of this Cayman-inspired story in the Gift Shop and meet the author!
Gift Shop Highlight: 3rd Biennial CatalogueCatalogues for the 3rd Cayman Islands Biennial, Conversations with the Past – In the Present Tense, are now available in the NGCI Gift Shop. This 140-page catalogue features full colour photographs of all works in the exhibition, along with artist bios and statements, and essays by the exhibition’s curators and jurors.
Volunteer with us!
As a vibrant cultural destination, NGCI strives to promote and encourage the appreciation and practice of art in the Cayman Islands. We are always seeking volunteers who are dedicated to the arts and what we do here, and can contribute whatever time they have to help us achieve our mission. We offer training for all volunteers and various areas to get involved with:
Exhibition Hall Receptionist
Exhibition installation and deinstallation support
Studio/classroom assistant
Exhibition/collection research
Exhibition Hall Docent
Events and special function support
Prop design for NGCI event
Fundraising activities
And more!
We thank all volunteers for their invaluable contributions to NGCI. If you’d like to get involved, click here to learn more or email [email protected]
Teen Art Drop-In26 August, 12:00 – 1:00PMTeens are invited to drop in to our studio on the last Saturday of the month for a free art session. Join other like-minded individuals to create individual or collaborative projects while enjoying a quiet, mindful art space. Email [email protected] to learn more.
Intro to Drumming Course with Randy CholletteSaturdays, 10:00AM-12:00PM September 2, 9, 16 & 23Join artist and musician Randy Chollette for an exciting ‘Introduction to Drumming’ course. No prior experience necessary! Learn about the history and social role of drumming practice in the Cayman Islands and how this style of music-making contributes to wellness, then explore how to make sound and rhythm yourself with a series of short musical phrases. Spaces are limited. Contact [email protected] for more details and to register. 
Book Signing with Author Paullete McField12 August, 10:00AM – 1:00PMLocal author Paullete McField will be at the NGCI Gift Shop signing copies of her new children’s book, “The Adventures of Tim and Chippa” during our Family Fun Day on Saturday, 12 August. Purchase your copy of this Cayman-inspired story in the Gift Shop and meet the author!
Gift Shop Highlight: 3rd Biennial CatalogueCatalogues for the 3rd Cayman Islands Biennial, Conversations with the Past – In the Present Tense, are now available in the NGCI Gift Shop. This 140-page catalogue features full colour photographs of all works in the exhibition, along with artist bios and statements, and essays by the exhibition’s curators and jurors.
