National Gallery Exhibits Artwork by Outreach Participants

The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) is proud to present over 70 works of art by the 55+ students who have participated in the NGCI Outreach Programmes this year. NGCI Deutsche Bank Intern Mr. Lyle Anderton, who curated, the outreach exhibition explains, “I decided to call the exhibition Horizons because it reaffirms the idea of the NGCI outreach programmes which aim to expand the creative and artistic horizons of the participants who may be struggling with varying degrees of challenges.”

The exhibition, currently held in the NGCI Dart Auditorium/Community Gallery, is open to the public and runs until 2 July 2015. NGCI outreach programmes include: Art Haven (classes for participants from Caribbean Haven, HMP Northward, HMP Fairbanks and HMP Northward Juveniles) taught by Mr. Joseph Betty and sponsored by Ms. Lori Monk and Mr. Kevin Buttler, EY’s Art Talk for participants aged 50+ taught by Mr. Kerwin Ebanks and sponsored by EY, EY’s Meet Me held in Grand Cayman and in Cayman Brac for residents of rest homes taught by Mr. Kerwin Ebanks and Ms. Simone Scott and sponsored by EY, and Sunrise Art Club for adults with disabilities taught by Ms. Meegan Ebanks.

The NGCI Outreach programmes cater to a wide variety of community groups, ages and artistic levels. Art classes are held on site at the National Gallery where possible, and for some NGCI instructors go out into the community to lead art projects. Classes encourage the discovery of new skills and development of abilities through experimentation and apply concepts of art therapy where appropriate. NGCI Education Coordinator and outreach instructor Mr. Kerwin Ebanks notes, “Outreach is a vital link for people in the community who may not be able to attend public NGCI programmes, such as children with disabilities, young offenders, senior citizens, elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's and ordinary people struggling to free themselves from drug addiction. These outreach classes account for a large portion of the National Gallery’s annual output and are made possible at no cost through the generosity of donors and sponsors.”

Artiversary by Matthew Ebanks

In addition to the array of creative work on display in the NGCI Dart Auditorium/Community Gallery, the exhibition’s curator, Mr. Anderton, has expanded the outreach exhibition to make use of the hallway gallery that leads to the Susan A. Olde Art Studio. The satellite exhibition, titled Artiversary by Lighthouse graduate and special Olympic athlete Mr. Matthew Ebanks, showcases eleven works of art done in coloured pencil. Mr. Ebanks explains, “I like that I have the chance to show the world my artwork. I hope that my friends, family and ministers show up to see the work.” He adds, “[the artworks] are of beautiful nature. I like to share a story and to paint or draw whatever makes me feel comfortable and makes me feel good. When people see my work, like it and hang it in their homes it makes me feel warm.” Mr. Ebanks who one days hopes to become an artist developed his passion from his grandmother and is a recent graduate of the NGCI Walkers Art Club Lighthouse for young adults with disabilities and learning difficulties. He is a long-term volunteer at the National Gallery and assists the outreach department every week.

The NGCI Outreach Exhibitions Horizons and Artiversary are now open to the public and will be on display until 2 July 2015. For more information about the outreach programmes at the National Gallery call (345) 945 8111 or email [email protected].