Awards were the order of the day Thursday as dozens of people were honored for their contributions to the arts, culture and heritage of the Cayman Islands.
The 20th National Arts and Culture Awards, which included a formal dinner at Papagallos restaurant, where the winners were announced, was the first event of the three-day Cayfest, the national arts festival, organized by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.
Describing the festival, CNCF’s managing director Marcia Muttoo said in a press release, “Think of a color wheel with all its nuance, brilliance, contrast and harmony. These are the qualities our national festival, Cayfest, uncovers and celebrates.
“It is truly a marvelous festival that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to take advantage of the abundance of amazing talent that we have right here in Cayman when it comes to our creative industries.”
Heritage Cross awards
Alva Murrell Donovan Bodden, a 76-year-old cultural pioneer, was nominated for a gold Heritage Cross Award in respect to his work in the Sister Islands. Mr. Bodden has served on the Caymanian Protection Board and has also done work to repopulate an endangered species of West Indian Whistling Duck in his back yard pond: the Golden pond, in Cayman Brac.
During his time feeding and tending to the ducks, it seemed as though it was love at first sight,
“[The ducks] laid their wings on me,” said Mr. Bodden.
“When we went over there and we started out there [in Cayman Brac], it was only a couple of ducks, and then at one time it could have been 300 to 400 ducks. They come over from Little Cayman and we feed them,” he said.
After hurricane Ivan in 2004, the ducks were few and far between, but after he provided shelter to two endangered ducks, they multiplied.
For those planning a trip to Cayman Brac, and especially for those who like bird watching, Mr. Bodden says the pond is a great place to visit since it has become a home to a vibrant population of Cayman’s colorful and feathery friends.
“We have all different kinds of birds out there on the pond. We have the coots, the stilts, the teals,” he says. The pond is also home to tarpon. “We feed the minnows and [the tarpon] feed off the minnows,” said Mr. Bodden.
Of his efforts preserving Cayman’s cultural heritage, Mr. Bodden said, “It is rewarding. It’s good to help your country and not always your country helping you.”
Another Heritage Cross awardee who was honored with a gold merit was Capt. Paul Hurlston, 83, known for his community service and love of the sea. After spending 41 years in the maritime industry, he said, the job has its perks.
“One of the best parts of being out at sea is, you don’t have to fight the traffic to go to work,” he said with a smile, “and you don’t have to worry about your meal – its already provided for, you don’t have to go to the supermarket to buy anything.”
To young people aspiring to join the maritime industry, he says, “It’s a good field because there’s money in it today. When I was in there, it wasn’t very much. It’s an experience you get … You learn a lot. It’s the discipline. I would encourage any parent who’s got a young person to send them out on ships. They’ll get good discipline and get to earn a living.”
Grateful for his nomination, Capt. Hurlston said, “In my wildest dreams, I never ever thought I would get something like [this award],” he said.
Star of Creativity awards
Seven people received Star of Creativity awards, including Sue Horrocks, who won a gold award. Ms. Horrocks has been directing the Cayman National Choir since 1998.
“I started music ever since I could remember,” she said. “I started with recorder and piano as an infant. It’s always been a major part of my life.”
She added that anyone with a love of music is welcome to join the National Choir, no skill set is required.
Ms. Horrocks said she feels honored to be recognized.
“It’s a real privilege, it’s very special…I just do what I do and love what I do. My kind of thing is music for all. You don’t have to have a degree in it. If you have an opinion about a piece of music, it’s as valid,” she said.
Her passion for music is clear.
“Music is an outlet because music is a integral part of our being and our souls. You turn to music when your emotions are at play … It’s not something clinical, it’s deeply rooted within, and that’s how important music is. It’s not an added extra, is not something you just put your remainder of your budget into. It’s integral to us as human beings,” said Ms. Horrocks.
Additional recognitions
Others who received Star of Creativity gold awards were: author and storyteller Amina Blackwood Meeks, who helped define Gimistory, the Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival.
The Storycrafters were also honored for their creative work as authors, storytellers and educators.
Receiving a silver award was children’s book author Lady Rabia. Priscilla Pouchie, who has appeared in Cayman’s popular satirical stage show, “Rundown” received a bronze Star of Creativity award.
Other recognitions were: Ushani Abeynayke for Volunteer of the Year; Heritage certificates to Diana Scott-Driscoll, Felicia McFarlane, Laurel Martin and Vivine Elizabeth Watler, the owner of Vivine’s Kitchen in East End; and a Certificate of Creativity to Vinola Ebanks.
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