Art enthusiasts are invited to a weekend of art and creativity at Camana Bay!

This two-day affair on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 May will showcase a diverse and vibrant programme, including digital graffiti, live music and dance performances and a kids’ talent show, as well as cooking demos and a Mixology Masters competition. The culmination of Artisphere is the 9th annual Chalkfest competition, held in collaboration with The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands.

On Friday, Art lovers can purchase local art at the Affordable Art Fair, while beauty aficionados enjoy makeup tutorials by Camana Bay’s Le Visage. Little ones will enjoy dance demos and instruction on The Paseo with Barnes Dance Academy, before joining the rest of the family at Live on The Paseo to sit back and relax to the smooth sounds of Classic Rock and Blues by local group, Red, White & Blues.

On Saturday, foodies can browse the stalls along Market Street offering fresh, local produce and products as children parade past in a kaleidoscope of colour, music and creativity in the Junior Batabano Parade. With eight primary schools participating, this year’s parade is sure to be a spectacular show as children dance and jump along The Harbour-front before wowing the judges on The Crescent. After the parade, the fun will continue with face painting, mask decorating, snow cones and more to raise funds for the Junior Batabano Committee.

Artisphere will end with a bang as budding artists leave their easels at home and use the streets of Camana Bay as their canvas at the 9th  annual Chalkfest competition. On Saturday 12 May from 3-6pm, the Town Centre will turn into a larger-than-life art exhibit as participants vie to become chalk champion , creating works of street-art along Market Street. Held in collaboration with The National Gallery of The Cayman Islands, Chalkfest is based on the ancient art of street painting that is an immediate visual process bringing an instant response from viewers.

The competition is open to artists of all ages and abilities; pre-registration is now open and can be made up until 2pm on event day.  There will be prizes awarded for the best work. Entry categories are: Primary (5-10 years old), Middle School (11-13 years old), High School (14-17 years old) and Adults (18+).  Registration fee is CI$5 for kids and CI$10 for adults, and proceeds will benefit The National Gallery Outreach Programme.

Chalk will be provided free of charge and participants are encouraged to bring rags, sponges and buckets to help with blending and covering large areas. Free water and sunscreen will be available for all participants.

“We are excited to be able to bring to the public a brand new event centred around The National Gallery’s annual Chalkfest competition,” says Camana Bay’s Cultural Coordinator, Karie Bounds. “Chalkfest is a beloved tradition that gives professional and non-professional artists, kids and adults, the opportunity to express themselves in a public visual medium.”