THE ARTSY MONTH OF MAY: DISCOVER  THE ARTS AT CAMANA   BAY

Camana Bay, Grand Cayman (Wednesday 24 April 2013): Did you know that the bubble benches in Jasmine Court were designed exclusively for Camana Bay? Or that The Observation Tower mosaic is comprised of more than 3,000,000 individual Bizazza tiles, handcrafted in Italy? Or that the team behind the lighting in the Town Centre also lit the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris?

Art is not only an intrinsic part of Camana Bay; but it also plays an important role in the Cayman Islands. From the contemporary to the historic, like iconic landmarks such as the Peace Memorial and Miss Lassie’s House in George Town and community-led public art installations such as the ever-growing flip flop tree in South Sound and the Blue Dragon Trail, to local art institutions the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, the National Trust and the Cayman Islands Cultural Foundation, art is key to the past, present and future of Cayman.

Throughout the month of May, join Camana Bay in celebrating the vibrancy and diversity of the arts – in all shapes, sizes and forms – through a host of creative events and activities. Gather a group of friends, bring the entire family or join fellow-minded members of the community and celebrate the art around us at Camana Bay. Everyone’s invited.

Explore our Islands’ diverse cultural offerings at Cayman Carnival Batabano’s Friday Fete-for-a-Cause; a musical journey through vintage and contemporary Soca in honour of the organisation’s 30-year anniversary. Or learn traditional art practices from local artists at a free Kids’ Cultural Workshop in The Discovery Centre. Seek out new creative experiences at KARoo’s Open Canvas, held every Wednesday evening, or experiment with contemporary and traditional cuisine at one of Bon Vivant or The National Trust’s interactive Cooking Classes. Discover local artists and artisans at a series of Affordable Art Fairs, catch a live poetry performance under the stars at An Evening of Poetry or join Books & Books for their popular monthly poetry evenings, Floetry and Nosotros: Spanish Floetry. Savour the flavours of Cayman and browse fresh, local produce at Camana Bay’s Weekly Farmers’ Market, held every Wednesday on Market Street.

From the engaging to the established, see Cayman’s music leaders in action at Live on The Paseo, Drum Circle or Pantastic’s steel pan performances on The Crescent. Roll-up your sleeves and free your inner artist as you join local painter John Broad for a special Masterpiece Workshop. Engage little ones in new sensory experiences, like Imagination Playground on The Crescent or Story & Craft Time at Books & Books. Or peek inside the mind of some of Cayman’s most interesting creatives at the Visual Arts Society Art Show.

Delve deeper into the culinary arts and sample a palette of flavours from Camana Bay’s talented chefs. At Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, James Beard Award-nominated pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith’s creative desserts and the restaurant’s own Home Brew are artisanal creations worth seeking out. At Ortanique, Executive Chef Sara Mair showcases housemade cheeses in the restaurant’s colourful dining room – a work of art itself. Contemporary Caribbean cuisine is beautifully art directed by Executive Chef Ron Jacobson and his team at Abacus. Did you know that the restaurant takes its name from the giant abacus design feature that divides the bar and dining room? Check out Mizu’s Asian-inspired designer dining room and right next door, The Waterfront, a modern, urban diner serves up freshly made American classics on the harbourfront. Choose from a bevy creative cocktails at KARoo and admire its impressive art collection; one of Camana Bay’s best kept secrets.

Fashion is “greater than art because you live your life in it,” said The Devil Wears Prada. If this resonates, the shops at Camana Bay are a must-visit for inspiring fashion and the season’s latest trends worthy of Miranda Priestly’s approval. Step into a world of bright colours and bold patterns at The Cabana, the first international Lilly Pulitzer Via Shop from a true fashion icon. Island Company embodies contemporary island style and a wanderlust philosophy of ‘Quit Your Job, Buy a Ticket, Get a Tan, Fall in Love, Never Return.’ Sand Angels stocks beautiful pieces from internationally-renowned swimwear designers; pieces of art in their own right. Designed and manufactured in Grand Cayman, Caribbean Canvas Company’s apparel is made for the tropics, oozing practicability and functionality. Cayman’s best dressed head to NKY Collections and NKY for the latest fashions for men and women then walk the red carpet at SOLES Shoe Salon. Next door, The Jean Bar is modelled on a traditional country and western saloon, complete with pool table, dart boards and bar. Find trendy eyewear at De Sunglass Man and VisionWear Cayman, fine jewellery and timepieces at The Mansion and Watch.Me, or create your own piece of art at Pandora. Silhouette echoes a stylish, Mary

Antoinette-inspired boudoir and stocks pretty lingerie for women and basics for men, while the ‘artists’ at Eclipze Hair Design & Day Spa and Le Visage complete your work of art with inspiring hair and make-up.

Camana Bay’s busy calendar of events provides one-of-a-kind insight into to the exciting world of art, while celebrating the talent and innovation of the many artists actively working in our community. “We hope to open a whole new world of experiences to the community through an exciting and diverse range of activities and events,” says Ken Hydes, Vice President Place Management & Experiences at Camana Bay. “The month of May will be dynamic, participatory, and above all celebratory, of art in the Cayman Islands and we look forward to welcoming the local art community to Camana Bay.”

Show your appreciation of the arts and support local artists, performers, musicians and creatives. For a full calendar of upcoming events, visit camanabay.com. To stay up to date with the latest happenings, like Camana Bay Fan Page on Facebook and follow @CamanaBay on Twitter.