Caymanian aspiring visual artist Kayla Turner has showcased several works of art at this year’s Ann Arbor Art Fair, in Michigan, held over three days, 17-19 July.
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is the largest juried art fair in the US, showcasing the talents of some 1,000 artists annually, spanning a 30-city block throughout downtown Ann Arbor.
“I’m overjoyed at the opportunity to sell and display my work for the first time and to meet and be inspired by other amazing artists at the fair,” Turner told the Cayman Compass via email.
“I’m so grateful to be able to showcase the talent young Caymanians have to offer to a huge international audience. Representing Cayman as a place where young creatives can flourish is a pleasure,” she added.
Turner, 20, from West Bay, is heading into in her senior year at the University of Michigan, completing her bachelor’s degree in arts and ideas.
She was selected for the ‘New Art, New Artists’ programme by a panel of jurists after applying to the Ann Arbor Art Fair at the recommendation of her professor.
A total of 14 of her original works were chosen for display and for sale.
“The pieces on display are a mixture of classical studies, self-portraits and mythological subjects, most of which are oil paintings.”
Prior to the art fair, Turner had painted commissioned murals in the area where she attends school.
Turner said she first became interested in oil paintings under the mentorship of Cayman artist Gabrielle Wheaton, “whose expertise and guidance was invaluable to my growth as an artist and confidence in pursuing painting”.
Although Turner doesn’t have a definite plan post-graduation, she sees herself in the art world in some capacity.
“I would love to return to my family home in West Bay and capture some of the rich cultural and natural beauty that first inspired me growing up. I would love to work with local artists and creatives, and to paint more murals in collaboration with the community. I am also interested in getting my [master of fine arts] and plan on applying to graduate schools in the coming winter,” Turner said.
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