Now more than ever, access to the arts and a safe space for reflection and healing are needed in order to grapple with the effects of the global pandemic. With this in mind, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) has been working hard to adapt their museum site in accordance with new health and safety measures and social distancing requirements and are now open to the public.

The safety and wellbeing of the team and visitors is NGCI’s number one priority and new measures have been put in place that will temporarily limit site access to help safely manage visitor flow. This includes a time-entry system with pre-booking available online or via phone, and a new one-way visiting system throughout the exhibition spaces. Be sure to visit the Gallery’s blog site to see the latest information on these measures. Booking your visit in advance is encouraged in order to avoid waiting for entry.

Visitors to the Gallery will have a chance to enjoy three exhibition experiences, including the brand new Saltwater in Their Veins – a permanent collection showcasein the upper exhibition hall that explores Cayman’s evolving relationship to the ocean through works by 45 artists. Two other popular NGCI exhibitions – the Island of Women exhibition with 26 local artists exploring the contribution that women have made to Caymanian society, and Bendel Hydes Collection Acquisitions – have been extended through 21 August. NGCI’s Sculpture Garden and Labyrinth will also be open to enjoy, although the Art café, library, and education studio will remain closed.

During summer months NGCI will also continue to run a busy online programme of virtual exhibition tours, art classes and family education resources via their website (www.nationalgallery.org.ky). This will include talks and lectures as well as special highlights from the new National Collection Online Project which features 200 artworks from the National Collection. “It has been wonderful to see the outpouring of support for these digital resources and we will be continuing to provide virtual workshops for children and families, lesson plans, special lectures and events throughout the summer months to keep you connected to the arts” says NGCI Director Natalie Urquhart. “Please also look out for our regular blogs posts by NGCI staff and invited guests over the coming months, and also follow us on Facebook at National Gallery of the Cayman Islands for daily posts relating to our collections and exhibitions via our Instagram page at @natgalcayman.”

NGCI would like to extend their sincere thank you to all members and the Cayman community for their continued support as the Gallery continues to adapt to this evolving situation. Their efforts have not been simply to keep the institution alive but thriving and changed permanently for the better.

The National Gallery is located on Esterley Tibbetts Hwy and is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 – 5:00PM. Visits can now be booked via the NGCI website at https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/visit/timed-booking-entry-form/ or to the email address at [email protected] or by calling (345) 945 8111.

Caption 1: Installation view of the new NGCI exhibition “Saltwater in Their Veins”

Caption 2: Safe Harbour (2008) by Randy Chollette

Caption 3: Popular “Island of Women” exhibition extended through August.

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About the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

Established in 1996, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) is the country’s leading visual arts museum and education centre, charged with promoting and encouraging the appreciation and practice of the visual arts in the Cayman Islands. This mission is achieved through exhibitions, education/outreach programmes, school tours, community festivals, and ongoing research projects. Holding up to six exhibitions annually at our central exhibition space, and satellite venues around Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands, the curatorial team strives to create a balance between exhibitions of quality Caymanian artwork with art from further afield. This is achieved by working with a broad cross-section of artists and ranging from site-specific work to more traditional gallery-based projects.

NGCI is at the forefront of visual arts education in the Cayman Islands hosting 25+ education and outreach programmes monthly, across all three islands. These programmes aim to capture every age group in our community from the youngest pre-schoolers to senior citizens, in addition to marginalized members of our community. They combine arts education with enriching creative experiences which foster creativity, help build self-esteem, and provide effective and invaluable explorations of culture, cultural heritage, national identity and community values.