2018 was yet another busy and successful year at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI), as we once again worked to further our mission of promoting and encouraging the appreciation and practice of the visual arts of and in the Cayman Islands. Alongside welcoming thousands of visitors, we held 311 (exclusive of general visitors and general facility rentals) events and programmes and displayed 10 exhibitions across our site that showcased Cayman’s talented artists and spoke to our islands’ history, contemporary culture, and the environment in which we live.
Each of the National Gallery’s exhibitions was supported by a programme of lectures, workshops, and screenings that related to the various exhibition themes. Over 6,000 people participated in one or more of these gatherings. We also welcomed a diverse cross-section of local community groups and companies via our Events Department, presenting an opportunity for NGCI to welcome members of the public to the site and encourage them to engage with the art and cultural artifacts of the Cayman Islands.
Student visits and collaborations with local schools remain at the heart of what we do and once again played a key role in making 2018 so successful. We hosted 45 school tours (comprising over 800 students) under the Dart sponsored Minds Inspired programme, with many participating in special art activities. Each student was given the opportunity to come and learn about the exhibitions through tours which are specially designed to complement the curriculum in areas such as literacy and maths, and for the older students the GCSE and A-Level Art syllabus. Our Outreach programmes allowed us to connect with another 1000+ students at their own place of learning as NGCI team members attended community presentations and school events to promote art and creative career opportunities. In addition to tours, presentations and school events our busy Education Department also held an average of 25 education programmes and workshops each month to ensure that NGCI offers everyone an opportunity to get involved.
Outside of our regular programming, NGCI was busy internationally with staff being invited to present at conferences in the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and Washington D.C, as well as various aspects of NGCI’s work being featured in publications such as International Review of African American Art and Jamaque Paradis. This, in turn, helped us to increase visibility internationally about the Cayman Islands art scene. Director Natalie Urquhart was also invited to attend a Global Leadership Forum on Museums and Climate Change at the Smithsonian Institute, forging new networks in this area for 2019 and beyond.
As busy as it was, 2018 was also a year for reflection. Much of our programming and exhibitions explored the past and celebrated Cayman’s unique heritage, while other elements contemplated present and future concerns, with a particular focus on the environment. Below is a summary of the highlights from each month.
January
January started with not one but three exhibitions. Our annual Outreach Show featured over 100 artworks by more than 50 students and highlighted the diversity of talent present within our community as well as the potential of art to serve as an avenue for therapeutic healing. Solaris by the late Dr. William Hrudey introduced us to telescopic images of the sun, while Through Ivan’s Eye presented a unique collaboration between local photographer Gretchen Allen and material aftereffects Hurricane Ivan! The latter exhibition featured “Ivanized” photographs and offered both a window into the destructive power of nature and a reminder that such destruction can also create something abstract and beautiful.
February
February featured programming and events relating to the Ivan photography exhibition which were all well attended. We also welcomed a special guest, actor Will Smith, who dropped by NGCI to show his support for the art and culture of the Cayman Islands. Director Natalie Urquhart treated him to a tour of the facility and current exhibition and our staff were certainly excited about such a surprise visitor! After his visit, Smith set to social media to share his experience of the exhibit Through Ivan’s Eye, as well as his reflections on the power of art as a form of healing via Instagram. Click here to watch.
March
March celebrated the beauty of nature with the opening of Randall Blythe’s exhibition From Whence We Came, which was kindly sponsored by long term patron and Chairperson of NGCI, Susan Olde, OBE. Inspired by a quote from John F. Kennedy, Blythe’s exhibit focused on sharing his deep connection to the ocean. Through Blythe’s photographs, we were reminded to pause and appreciate the awesome power and grandeur of the ocean as something we often take for granted. Continuing the conversation initiated with the Ivan exhibition, it similarly addressed pertinent themes of environmental sustainability and climate change.
Subsequently, Blythe had the opportunity to further share this passion for this subject matter further when he instructed a special photography education workshop and photo walk for teens. The workshop was immensely enjoyed by all with one student commenting that it was “an amazing experience” and Randall himself stating that it was “one of the coolest days of my entire career as an artist and musician”.
April
Many of our exhibits in 2018 were part of a series that served to celebrate the medium of photography. April saw a host of special lectures to compliment this theme by experts Jim Gates, Carlo Lee, Rebecca Davidson, and David Goddard, all of whom provided valuable information through their lectures, especially for those seeking to learn valuable tips and new techniques. The education series was an absolute hit, with working photographers and enthusiasts alike in attendance.
May
Our celebration of the ocean continued with the opening of Coral Encounters which was developed in association with the International Year of the Reef initiative and featured 30 local and international photographers. An extensive education programme, supported in part by Cayman National Bank, was developed in partnership with the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, the Department of the Environment, the National Trust, Plastic Free Cayman, Eco Divers and many passionate individuals all of whom are working locally to encourage coral reef awareness and preservation. The exhibit also featured an interactive educational space, the ‘Exploration Station’, which was a highlight for visiting students and families.
Off-site in May, NGCI collaborated with KAABOO so that our teen students had the opportunity to assist Art Director Amandalynn with her mural on the side of the Camana Bay underpass!
June
The 2017-2018 school year was concluded here at the Gallery with our Walkers Art Club and was followed by the opening of the annual student exhibition, Insight. Curated by Education Intern Tyra Iton, students and families were thrilled to be able to see the products of all their hard work displayed in the NGCI Community Gallery.
We remained busy with the Coral Encounters exhibition series, highlighting the urgent need for the preservation of our reefs. This included a screening of the documentary Chasing Coral and a special talk by local underwater photographer and environmentalist Cathy Church. These events received great attention from schools and the wider community.
July
July was a time for consolidation of our annual schedule, as well as programme reviews. We opted not to host our Summer Camp this year so that staff could engage in the strategic development of their various departments. The entire team was also busy with their own professional development during this month, participating in a week-long intensive Museums and Curatorial Studies workshop conducted by visiting professor Dr. Veerle Poupeye.
August
August began with the opening of the Butterfield sponsored Art of Fashion exhibition, which extended until the annual fundraising gala in November which appropriately formed the inspiration for the gala theme. Featuring designers Isy B and Jawara Alleyne, this fashion-forward exhibit showcased some incredible pieces of wearable art inspired by works that are housed in the National Gallery’s permanent collection.
Drawing from the exhibition a fashion-themed programme of events was developed, from adult sewing workshops to a family fun day, as well as hosted talks where both Isy and Jawara shared insights into their inspiration and creative processes.
September
September saw the start of a new school year and a new term and class of children for the regularly scheduled education programmes like the Walkers Art Club, Art Haven, and Family Fun.
In a continuation of our Art of Fashion programming, NGCI hosted a fun adult experience of Kimono wrap decoration with one of our own art instructors and professional costume designer, Sarah McDougall.
October
In October we relaunched our volunteer programme and training series, starting with NGCI101 and followed quickly by an introduction to Caymanian Art History. We also hosted our Art of Fashion inspired family Fun Day, where children and parents had a blast exploring the exhibit, designing dream-inspired outfits, and participating in experiments with silk painting in the art studio.
It also marked the start of our fundraising season with the opening of the highly anticipated Big Art Auction 5 exhibition. This year the exhibition featured 23 local artists, including well-known figures like Charles Long, Avril Ward, Joanne Sibley, Randy Chollette and Davin Ebanks. (The Auction) Held on November 1st was a fun-filled and highly successful event, kindly unwritten by NGCI Board Member Jennifer Woodford and her husband Ralph, which in turn enabled all funds raised from the evening (minus the artists 50%) to go to an important cause!
November
Excitingly, two new NGCI exhibition venues were launched in the Sister Islands in November which means that NGCI will now have the potential to display on all three islands, on a permanent basis. Developed with the support of the Tibbetts family, the exhibitions From Whence We Came, and Coral Encounters opened at the Cayman Brac Reef Resort and the Little Cayman Museum sites respectively. Staff from the Education Department visited Little Cayman to talk to students about our Coral Encounters exhibition. They were thrilled with the opportunity to learn more about the marine environment and to participate in a fun painting lesson. The team will head to Cayman Brac in the New Year to kick start our related exhibition programme there.
In November, the Education Department also expanded its popular ‘Educators Happy Hour’, where teachers from all schools are invited to NGCI to learn more about the education programme on offer and be treated to a curator-led tour and accompanying activities.
To close off the month, NGCI hosted its annual fundraising gala on 30 November with supporters turning out in their hundreds to celebrate the Gallery and show their support, each wearing their very own interpretation of fashion couture. The Art of Fashion Gala featured a live auction in support of our education programmes, alongside a fabulous fashion show of the Isy B and Jawara Alleyne collections from the Art of Fashion exhibit.
December
December was a perfect end to 2018, with the opening of our most recent exhibitions Ella Latter: The Photographer is Present and Traces: Activating the Art Curriculum. These exhibits showcase Cayman’s first female freelance photographer and spectacular works from NGCIs own art educators, respectively.
In a double opening reception event that also celebrated the holiday season, the Gallery hosted its yearly members and supporters Christmas party. Not only were people able to come and peruse the new exhibitions but were also able to get some Christmas shopping done at our featured artisans fair. The holiday spirit was certainly felt through the festive displays of local crafts, mince pies and mulled wine.
Looking Forward to 2019!
In closing, we would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who supported NGCI in 2018: artists, donors, instructors, educators, members, our staff, board members, corporate partners, volunteers, community groups and visitors, the list goes on and we could not do it without you!
2018 was certainly a successful and immensely creative year, filled with vibrant events and opportunities and we are looking forward to welcoming you for another exciting year of exhibitions, events, and programming in 2019! Make sure to stay in the loop by visiting our website www.nationalgallery.org.ky for upcoming events, exhibition information and more. Remember, if you are not already a member of the National Gallery, you can Sign up to become one simply by clicking here.