On Saturday, 5 February, Governor Duncan Taylor and family will once again welcome over 100 artists and 3000 visitors into their garden for the island’s premier visual arts festival, The National Gallery’s Art@Governors 2011.
Visitors to this year’s festival will be treated to a diverse number of visual art forms from paintings, ceramics, sculpture and leatherwork to thatch work, body paintings, jewellery, quilts, photography and traditional handicrafts. Seasoned and emerging artists will be there to talk one on one about their art processes and demonstrate their work, and everyone has the chance to get creative at one of the many art tents.
Due to popular demand the event is spilling across the road again this year to Governors Square, enabling the event coordinators – The National Gallery - to house more artists and exhibits than ever before. Art demonstrations, displays and activities will be enjoyed between both areas, and Governors Square will be hosting commercial sales once again along with some exciting new additions.
In support of the National Gallery’s building project, this year’s theme “Building the Future of the Arts” will provide the inspiration for the many art activities on display, including the creation of a giant community mural that will wrap the construction site of the new National Gallery. All the favourite activities are back - The Arts Creation Station, Walkers Art Tent, The Governor’s Cup, face painting, music by Oneworld Entertainment and the St Ignatius Sax Ensemble, storytelling with Twyla Vargas, Cayman Catboat rides and the Non-Profit Corridor – and look out for the Butterfield Emerging Artists section, which is new to this year’s event.
After an exciting launch in 2010, the Governor’s Cup school art competition returns and trophies will be awarded for the most participation, best overall presentation and prizes for individual students from different age categories. The works created by each school will be exhibited at the festival and we encourage families to come and view the work of these young artists displayed side by side with some of the islands most recognised names.
The National Gallery will also be launching its Building Project Community Awareness Campaign at the event and visitors will be able to view a short documentary about the project, pick up information, and get involved with ‘The Big Arts Give Challenge” a matched giving scheme that enables every individual in the Cayman Islands to get involved. Whatever the size of the donation, it will be matched 1:1 by funds provided by the NGCI Chairman’s Fund so that each donation is automatically doubles in size. Suddenly your funds can stretch farther then you thought possible - having a direct and lasting effect on arts, culture and education in the Cayman Islands.
Art@Governors is held at Governors House and Governors Square on Saturday, 5 February, and is open to the public from 12.30pm to 4pm. Parking is provided courtesy of Regatta Office Park and traffic police will be on hand to guide you safely between the two locations. The event is free to the public; donations are appreciated.