Cayman’s cultural practitioners and preservationists will be honoured for their contributions to the islands’ arts and cultural legacy at an awards ceremony on Thursday, 25 May, at the Harquail Theatre.
The 2023 National Arts and Culture Awards are given to those who have made a significant contribution to arts and culture or achieved a high-quality body of creative work.
The honourees will be presented with their awards at a formal ceremony. In addition, presentations will be made to the sponsor of the year and volunteer of the year, for long-term support of the arts.
This year, as part of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s commitment to collaboration and alignment, the awards were decided by an expanded committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage; CNCF; the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands; the Cayman Islands Cayman Museum; the Cayman Music and Entertainment Association; the University College of the Cayman Islands; and a representative from the wider creative sector.
Cultural and heritage organisations, as well as the general public, were asked to submit nominations in the lead-up to the event in the following categories:
Heritage Cross
The Heritage Cross award is reserved for individuals and groups who have a consistent and active, quality engagement in the preservation and/or celebration of Caymanian cultural heritage. The award has three levels: Lifetime Achievement, Mid-Career, and Emerging.
The award recipients are:
Lifetime Achievement
• Debbi Truchan
• Eziethamae ‘Zeta’ Bodden
• Margaret ‘Peggy’ Leshikar-Denton
Mid-Career
• Cayman Islands Folk Singers
• Vicki Calvert-Das
• Maia Muttoo
• James Christian
Emerging
• Brian Watler Jr.
• Rashana Hydes
• Rhonda Edie
Star for Creativity in the Arts
The Star for Creativity in the Arts is awarded for artistic endeavour, achievement, and excellence in the arts.
Like the Heritage Cross, the Star for Creativity also has three levels reflecting the span of the artist’s work and/or their overall impact.
The award recipients are:
Lifetime Achievement
• Al Ebanks
• Cayman Islands National Dance Company
• Cayman National Choir and Orchestra
• Deborah Chase van der Bol
Mid-Career
- Michael Lemay
- Olujimi ‘Jimmeh’ La’Pierre
- Patrick Lopez
- STOAK’D
Emerging
- Fuego Latin Dance
Special Projects
• Cayman Turtle Centre, for its presentation ‘Iron Men in Wooden Ships’
• Ironshore Group, for the professional recordings of stories from the 2022 Gimistory event
• Susan Howe, for work with Cayman Drama Society
Volunteer of the Year
• National Drug Council
• Kerwin Ebanks
• Katie Moore
Visionary Award
In addition, the committee and CNCF leadership decided to present a single Visionary Award in 2023, which recognises an individual or group for their exemplary long-term contributions to the islands’ heritage and culture through inspiring performing, visual or literary arts.
This year’s recipient is the iconic Swanky Kitchen Band. Dedicated to preserving traditional Cayman Islands kitchen dance music, while keeping it fresh for a new generation, Swanky Kitchen Band has been the cultural flag bearer for the Cayman Islands since 2003, the award organisers said.
The 2023 National Arts and Culture Awards will take place Thursday, 25 May, from 7:30-9:30pm, with a welcome reception beforehand for attendees.
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