Art will be taking centre stage with the return of Cayman Art Week, set for 20-25 May, with more than 40 events, pop-up exhibitions, studio visits and extended hours at galleries across all three Cayman Islands, as well as new elements added this year.
“There’s an incredible energy around Cayman Art Week as artists and venues come up with ever more creative collaborations and presentations,” said Natalie Urquhart, founder and creative director of the week-long celebration.
CAW was originally formed in 2021, as a way to stimulate the commercial art market and support artists in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since become a popular event for both residents and visitors alike.
“We are excited to see the industry taking ownership of Cayman Art Week in this way. While Cayman Art Week provides a platform, the creative community are the stars of the show and have the most to gain from a successful art week. By continuing to support the growth of the art market, our hope is that more creatives can sustain a career in the arts,” Urquhart added.
Organisers are shining the spotlight on the Sister Islands with the addition of CAW Little Cayman Bike Around, according to a CAW press release.
Participants will “spend the afternoon cycling and exploring the art on display in Little Cayman, including the Little Cayman Museum, which has an exhibition from the National Gallery’s collection, the Seahorse Boutique and the National Trust House where guest artist Debbi Truchan is exhibiting art, alongside a pop-up exhibition of flora and fauna-inspired art from the National Gallery’s collection,” the press release said.
Organisers have also introduced CAW East, curated bus tours of venues in the eastern districts including Pure Art Gallery, Scott Swing Studio, Mind’s Eye Centre, pop-up exhibitions at Harbour Walk, the Visual Arts Society at Pedro St. James, Kay Smith Studio, and Gram Bella’s. Tickets are $10.
“In addition to returning with a packed programme in Grand Cayman, we’re excited to expand the programming in the Sister Islands this year with the CAW Little Cayman Bike Around on Friday, 23 May and the CAW Brac bus tours on Saturday, 24 May,” Urquhart told the Compass.
“Local artists will be exhibiting their work, plus there will be pop-up exhibitions from the National Gallery collection on both islands, and it’s a great way to explore the architecture and heritage sites as well.”
Celebrating Cayman’s past and present
Among the offerings this year is National Gallery playing host to three distinct exhibitions, “each of which offers a unique perspective on Cayman’s rich and varied cultural heritage. Frequent visitors will encounter newly refreshed display spaces in the Gallery’s Upper Exhibition Hall,” the press release noted.
In partnership with Compass Media, with support from the Kenneth B. Dart Foundation, the gallery’s latest temporary exhibition, TimeBack, features selections of black-and-white images drawn from the Cayman Compass’ extensive archive of photographs.
Artwork from the National Gallery’s permanent collection is also on view as part of the exhibition, ‘Evolutions: Continuity & Change in Caymanian Art’.
Visitors can also enjoy an assortment of artwork inspired by dreams, mystical visions, and the suggestive realm of the subconscious, which form the basis of an intriguing exhibition entitled ‘From the Mind’s Eye’.
“The programme creates opportunities for people to explore the breadth of creativity in Cayman, whether joining a curated bus tour, visiting open studios, meeting the artists or listening to expert panels and lectures,” organisers said.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, 22 May
CAW West
Presented in partnership with Kimpton Seafire Resort and Hotel Indigo – evening opening hours and hop-on/hop-off bus tours of venues along Seven Mile Beach and West Bay Road including The Studio at Kimpton Seafire, Cera Tan at Hotel Indigo, Carlos V. Garcia Gallery, Kennedy Gallery, pop-up exhibitions at Carey’s Karma Closet, Optique, Vines 2 Ocean and Sticks & Stones, and six locations at Camana Bay: The Gallery, Label C, Audi, TABS, Islands Jewellers and Abacus.
Friday, 23 May
CAW Central
Presented in partnership with George Town Revitalisation Initiative – evening opening hours and hop-on/hop-off bus tours of venues in George Town: Guy Harvey Gallery, Claire at the Beach Studio, Ngara Galleries, 3 Girls and a Kiln, Art Nest Studio, Goodness, Tangled World II at Cricket Square, Kirkman Studios, Martlet Design, the Cayman Islands National Museum and a late-night party at Mutiny.
CAW Little Cayman Bike Around
Spend the afternoon cycling and exploring the art on display in Little Cayman for CAW25, including the Little Cayman Museum which has an exhibition from the National Gallery’s collection; the Seahorse Boutique and the National Trust House where guest artist Debbi Truchan is exhibiting art; alongside a pop-up exhibition of flora- and fauna-inspired art from the National Gallery’s collection.
Saturday, 24 May:
CAW East
Curated bus tours of venues in the eastern districts: Pure Art Gallery, Scott Swing Studio, Mind’s Eye Centre, pop-up exhibitions at Harbour Walk, the Visual Arts Society at Pedro St James, Kay Smith Studio and Gram Bella’s. Tickets cost $10.
CAW Brac
A curated bus tour of venues in Cayman Brac: Heritage House, Nim Things, Gordon Solomon Gallery and Eldemire House/National Trust. CAW is also running a special tour for seniors in partnership with the Department of Family Services.
Sunday, 25 May
Cayman Art Week’s closing event on Cayman Brac plus a Q&A with Solomon at his studio.
A CAW press released noted, “The programme creates opportunities for people to explore the breadth of creativity in Cayman, whether joining a curated bus tour, visiting open studios, meeting the artists or listening to expert panels and lectures.”
There is no charge for artists or venues to participate in Cayman Art Week, and all events are free and open to the public.
For more information about Cayman Art Week and to see the full line-up of events, visit the CAW website and follow Cayman Art Week on Facebook or Instagram.
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