Another year of Walkers Art Club has drawn to a close. It has been a remarkable year, marked by hard work, passion and growth of our students.
This year participants once again received specialised training in various art media and historical theory. Our well-equipped Susan A. Olde art studio and the Exhibition Hall provided the perfect environment for students to develop a diverse range of techniques, concepts, and skills. Students learnt a variety of studio skills such as tempera paint, collage, coil and pinch-pot ceramics, calligraphy, print-making, sgraffito techniques, watercolour and salt painting, gouache and plaster sculptures. Taught concepts included plein air painting, observational drawing, one-point perspective, composition, linework, and complementary colours. As part of the programme, students also toured the National Gallery’s exhibition spaces to enhance their learning, viewed works by local and international artists, and gained inspiration for their own creations.
Thanks to Walkers, 2024 also marked the return of an on-site exhibition for the first time since the lockdown! The exhibition will be on display in the National Gallery Dart Auditorium, from 14 June to 23 August 2024 and is open to the public. At the exhibition opening, we were delighted to welcome students and families of the Club, and some of the Walkers team to the National Gallery, and together we celebrated the achievements, creativity and community of Walkers Art Club. The online exhibition for this year’s Club will also be going live on the National Gallery website in August 2024, showcasing the incredible talent and creative work of our students, and creating a permanent record of the Club’s achievements this year.
Every year, the positive feedback from students and parents demonstrates the importance of Walkers Art Club and its impact on students’ lives. In addition to teaching art skills and theoretical concepts, the programme strives to create an inclusive environment that builds community connections and encourages friendships across schools. The Club aims to foster kindness, understanding, and a sense of community, whilst ensuring that members have lots of fun learning. When asked for feedback on the sessions, one secondary student said “Very fun! I enjoyed learning and discovering more art techniques. I’ve grown very fond of art and the large amount and variety of supplies were very enjoyable to try out for many first times! And it was better how I was able to grow more outspoken and make new friends since being more extroverted is something I struggle with!”.
A huge thank you to Walkers for their continued sponsorship of the Club, which is now in its 24th year and keeps participation free for all! Thank you also to our instructors who developed and lead engaging, skilled and culturally relevant sessions, and to Inclusion Cayman for their support in offering guidance and assisting in the classroom.
Last but not least, thank you to all the students, and families of the 2023/24 Club, for your dedications, commitment, and amazing creativity.
Want to join Walkers Art Club?
Registration for 2024-25 opens 9:00AM on 16 August 2024.
Due to the club’s high demand and space limitations, we cannot guarantee placement for each applicant, thus a waitlist will be generated once capacity is reached. Please note that we cannot accept any registrations prior to this time to ensure fairness to all.
Register online. For those unable to access online registration, alternate arrangements can be made by contacting education@nationalgallery.org.ky.