National Gallery Exhibits Artwork by Outreach Participants

The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) opens a new exhibition this week in the Dart Auditorium/ Community Gallery, showcasing close to 100 works of art by 68 students who have participated in the NGCI Outreach Programmes this year. The exhibition titled The Gift of Healing is open to the public and has been curated by this year’s NGCI Deutsche Bank Intern, Ms Candace Welcome. “It’s been quite the experience working with participants from the NGCI outreach programmes and curating the annual outreach exhibition. I am thrilled that these works are on public display so everyone can appreciate the tremendous achievements that have been made this year,” comments Ms Welcome.

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 Mr David Bridgeman.

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 Operations and Programme Manager Ms Tanya Whiteside explains, “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.”

The NGCI Outreach Exhibition, The Gift of Healing will be on display until 25 May 2016. For more information about the outreach programmes at the National Gallery call (345) 945 8111 or email [email protected].

Interview with the Exhibition’s Curator
Ms Candace Welcome, NGCI Deutsche Bank Intern

Q) What message do you hope that visitors will take away with them after they’ve seen the Outreach Exhibition, The Gift of Healing?

I hope that visitors will leave feeling inspired and touched by the artworks on display. I would like them to experience the way art has motivated each individual within the outreach programmes to seek change and to choose positivity, despite their difficulties. It is my hope that they too will be inspired to do the same.

Q) Tell us about some of the projects that are on display.

The two projects that stand out the most to me are the memory box projects that were created by Meet Me participants, a programme for the residents of rest homes in Cayman, and the Gordon Solomon large “Spots-of-light” paintings created during the Sunrise Art Club for adults with disabilities. The results of the “Sports-of-light” paintings were beautiful and they did a great job at demonstrating Gordon’s piece. Participants learnt how to visually mix color as a form of color theory by using warm colors to create the feeling of a sunset. The memory boxes were a great expression of each senior’s personality and allowed participants to tell their story. It also provided them with a safe-place to hold the memories they held dear to their hearts.

Q) How many outreach students have participated in National Gallery programmes this year?

This year we had a total of 81 outreach students participating in the National Gallery programmes. It may also be important to note that although the Art Talk programme is included in the Outreach exhibition, the goal of the class was to explore and interpret artwork on display within our temporary exhibitions. The exhibition showcases photographs of outreach participants in action so you will be able to see what it’s all about.

Q) What has been your most memorable outreach experience this past year?

My most memorable outreach experiences this year has been my visits to the prisons. This visit in particular, I remember going there with Ms Tanya Whiteside to evaluate Mr Joseph Betty (the NGCI Prison Instructor) while he taught an art lesson. During our time there, I noticed how focused the inmates were on creating their pieces, and how keenly they listened to Mr Betty’s instruction. They also seemed to have this relaxed and humorous spirit about each of them that made the time there quite enjoyable. I felt really inspired by their enthusiasm and loved the expression in their artwork. After the class had ended, one of the inmates shared his gratitude for us taking the time to come to the prison to visit them. He stood and proclaimed how they all were so thankful for our presence there, and that we gave them inspiration to continue creating. His words were encouraging to hear as I now know how beneficial the Art Haven programme was to the inmates, and it sure felt great to participate in making a difference in their lives.

Q) What has surprised you the most about working on an exhibition, like the Outreach Exhibition?

What has surprised me the most is the large part the Gallery plays in providing such avenues for the individuals of these programmes. It wasn’t until I started working here, that I realized how much the National Gallery actually does for the community.

Q) What do you like best about working at the National Gallery?

What I like best about working at the National Gallery is the experiences I have been able to have working alongside people of various ages, nationalities, disabilities and difficulties. I absolutely love going out into the community to inspire others to embrace their creativity.

Q) Has the NGCI Deutsche Bank Internship changed the way you look at galleries and museums?

Yes, definitely. As a visitor, I was only able to see the “final product”. I say this because, after working here at the Gallery, I can see that there is much more to the paintings and artworks you see in an exhibition space. I’ve been able to see how the Gallery operates on a business stand point, as well as how it seeks to provide programmes that foster growth, interest, and skill in the arts. I have seen how the Gallery has continued to provide these free programmes and admission due to the extensive planning of many events throughout the year, such as the Annual Fundraising Gala. Thus, there is quite a bit of “elbow grease” that’s required to successfully operate a gallery.

Q) What are your plans after you complete the NGCI Deutsche Bank Internship?

After completing my Internship, I will be focusing on gaining more experience in the field of the arts within Cayman, whether that be within our schools, hospitals, or counseling centers. I will also be looking for opportunities to improve my skills and prepare for grad school.

 Curators Statement

Outreach Exhibition – The Gift of Healing
National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
12 May – 25 May 2016

The Gift of Healing showcases works of art that have highlighted how art has continued to make a difference in the lives of participants in the outreach programmes. These programmes positively impact our communities within the Cayman Islands by offering creative solutions for a variety of community groups, ages and artistic levels. Art classes are held both at the National Gallery, and in the community. These classes encourage the discovery and development of new skills through experimentation and the application of art therapy where appropriate.

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy which uses the creative process of artmaking to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This therapeutic healing of art transforms lives. Lives that may have once been empty soon find solace through creative expression. Learning creative elements such as: colour, rhythm, movement, balance, and unity helped to shape each participants’ creative outlet. Overall, this outlet provides the participants of the outreach programmes with the opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.

Featuring works by: Art Haven (Caribbean Haven, HMP Northward, HMP Fairbanks and HMP Northward Juveniles) taught by Mr Joseph Betty and sponsored by Ms Lori Monk and Mr Kevin Butler, EY sponsored programs (EY’s Art Talk for aged 50+ taught by Mr Kerwin Ebanks, and for residents of rest homes – EY’s Meet Me for Cayman taught by Ms Candace Welcome, EY’s Art for the Elderly for the Brac taught by Ms Simone Scott), and Sunrise Art Club for adults with disabilities taught by David Bridgeman.

Education Department Team: Mr Kerwin Ebanks – Education and Community Officer, Mrs Tanya Whiteside – Operations and Programme Manager, Ms Candace Welcome – NGCI Deutsche Bank Intern and Curator.

Outreach Programmes Sponsored by:

Lori Monk & Kevin Butler