Cayman Art Week returns this month and according to organisers it’s bigger than ever.
The festival, which runs from 26-31 May, will see a wide variety of art by local talent showcased at 10 galleries, 12 studios, five museums, 32 pop-up exhibitions and more than 50 art events across the three islands.
All events are free and open to all.
Opening night
Cayman Art Week’s official launch takes place on Wednesday, 27 May, from 7pm at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. As lead partner, the National Gallery is co-hosting the event.
The evening brings together a vibrant mix of collectors, artists, gallerists and art lovers, and offers guests a great opportunity to see current exhibitions, the organisers said in a press release.
This includes a new showcase of work by local artists aged 16 to 20, who answered an open call by the National Gallery. Cayman Art Week has sponsored a young Caymanian curator to stage this exhibition.
Bus tours
Cayman Art Week will be offering free hop-on-hop-off bus tours, helping visitors get from one venue to another.
These will run on:
- Thursday, 28 May (venues along Seven Mile Beach, including Camana Bay)
- Friday, 29 May (George Town and Industrial Park), and
- Saturday, 30 May (Cayman Brac)
Panel discussions and artist talks
Several participating galleries will also host panel discussions and artist talks across the week, including those detailed below.
Thursday 28 May
Evolutions: Continuity and Change in Caymanian Art — Visitors will be led on a walk through the permanent collection at the National Gallery to trace the islands’ artistic history through a period of rapid social and cultural transformation. (12:30pm–1:30pm)
Spatial Dialogue: A Conversation Between Art & Interior by IDG — This session will explore the relationship between art, interior architecture and spatial design with artists Al Ebanks and Janine Every. (6:30pm–7:30pm)
Friday 29 May
Maritime Art in the National Gallery Collection — Collection curator William Helfrecht will focus on works by Davin Ebanks, John Broad, Charles Long, Simon Tatum, Miguel Powery, Bendel Hydes and John Reno Jackson. (12:30pm–1:30pm)
Saturday 30 May
Conversations in the 7th Dimension — Curatorial assistant Daniela Granados will lead a guided tour of the current Randy Chollette exhibition at the National Gallery. (12:30pm–1:30pm)
TimeBack: Community Archive Panel Discussion — Visitors will be taken on a deep dive into the TimeBack archives with the National Gallery and Compass Media at the Cayman Brac Beach Resort. (6:30pm–7:15pm)
Sunday 31 May
In Conversation with Keri Elaine & John Reno Jackson — The artists will discuss their creative practice at Hotel Indigo. (5pm–6pm)
Art, Wellness and Expression at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa — This immersive evening will bring together women artists and guests for a multidisciplinary exploration of women’s self-expression and wellbeing through art. (6pm–8pm)
There are several other events planned for the week, including an interactive large-scale painting and drum circle at Next Door in Camana Bay (28 May), A sunset session mixing art and vinyl at Whale Rider Records (29 May) and a still life drawing workshop at the Farmers Market (31 May).
For more information on these events and others visit caymanartweek.com
Cayman Art Week, now in its sixth year, is made possible with the support of Cayman Art Week patron Susan A. Olde OBE; lead partner the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands; culture partners Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.
Supporting partners include the George Town Revitalisation Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure; Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage; Camana Bay; Compass Media; Flow; and Cricket Square.
