CAYMAN NATIONAL CULTURAL FOUNDATION

A new artwork, commemorating the Harquail Theatre’s 30^th anniversary, was unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday, 19 May 2016.

Created by members of the Young At Arts® (YAA) Collective, the installation hangs on the large wall facing the pond, outside the Harquail Theatre.

The Collective is group of 30 talented artists, aged 9 to 18, who were selected to represent the 30 years of the Harquail Theatre.

Three large scale canvas sails, were broken down into 10 sections each, to create a total of 30 pieces, with each student receiving a piece. Each young person was also given an image that represented a moment in the history of the theatre and asked to recreate the image on the canvas using acrylic paint.

Organisers further specified that the resulting work should be recognisable, but representative of each student’s individual style.

“What these students have created is remarkable in the sense that the past meets the present, with these young artists recreating moments that precede them” comments Patrice Beersingh, Programmes Manager at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF).

She adds “The Harquail Theatre truly has become an important part of the cultural landscape in the Cayman Islands. So much has already happened here, and it’s important that we preserve these moments and we’re excited to see what else is in store.”

Dart Enterprises sponsored the commission. “The development of creativity and collaboration, and the ability to translate an idea in to a meaningful, artistic representation are skills which are as applicable in the workplace as they are in an artist’s studio” says Chris Duggan, Dart Enterprises VP of Community Development. “We are happy to support the Cayman National Cultural Foundation as it celebrates 30 years and to support these 30 young artists who are contributing to the cultural fabric of our community in such a meaningful way.”

 In addition to creating the new artwork students in the YAA Collective have also participated in a private tour of the National Gallery, and a special meet & greet with Grammy award winning electro-jazz cellist Dana Leong. They also received free VIP passes to the Cayfest Red Sky at Night Festival.

Jacob Whewell was named the top art student. He received $250 towards art supplies, a workshop scholarship worth $200 from the National Gallery and a $750 grant for his school St. Ignatius Catholic School’s art programme.

The student artists, their parents, sponsors, CNCF’s Artistic & Managing Directors Henry and Marcia Muttoo, as well as some of the people featured in the images attended the unveiling. Interested persons can view the artwork at the Harquail Theatre.

Photo caption:

1. Mural created by the YAA Collective
2. Students of the YAA Collective
3. The YAA Collective, Councillor Roy McTaggart, Dominic Ross of Dart, Lorna Reid, Anita Ebanks, Rita Estevanovich of CNCF, in front of the mural.
4. Jacob Whewell collects a cheque for his school’s art programme, after being named Top Art Student
5. Jacob’s recreation of Consuelo Ebanks in “Fall Angel and The Devil Concubine”
6. Reception attendee captures a photo of the mural