One of the most anticipated parties of the year is set to take place at The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) 21 November 2014. The Surrealists’ Ball will be sure to inspire and amuse guests but most importantly the event helps to raise essential funds needed for The National Gallery to continue to provide free community programmes for all ages and backgrounds.

The National Gallery’s Events Manager, Meegan Ebanks explains, “NGCI is an inclusive gathering place which honours our artistic heritage, celebrates art and seeks to provide inspiring learning experiences for all of our diverse public. By purchasing a ticket to The Surrealists’ Ball you’ll be directly supporting free art educational programmes and opportunities for all ages and abilities.” Funds from last year’s Bright Young Things Gala have provided The National Gallery with supplies and teaching resources for the NGCI Education Department and helped to fund the multifaceted Family Fun programme. Further, funds raised ensured that admission to all of the NGCI exhibitions remained free of charge and accessible to everyone.

This year The National Gallery’s fundraising ball has been inspired by Surrealism, a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind. Inspired by artist such as Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, René Magritte, Marcel Duchamp and Max Ernst The National Gallery’s events team has organised an actioned packed evening. Ms Ebanks adds, “We’ve planned surreal performances provided by KRI Performing Arts and Oneworld Entertainment, stunning décor thanks to Celebrations, Intec and Flowers Block & Foam as well as unconventional edible experiences thanks to Mise en Place and Jaques Scott Wines and Spirits. Cayman Airways and other local businesses have come together to help us offer grand auction packages unique to Cayman. Last but not least, we can all get HomeSafe by the services provided by The Security Centre. We cannot thank our sponsors and volunteers enough for their support of the event, it is going to be an event to remember.”

Guests are encouraged to dress in surreal fashion, and formal evening wear is a must for the soiree. National Gallery staff and volunteers have crafted a Pinterest Page, a social media web sharing application to share visual collections, of surreal fashion inspired looks for you to peruse. Art-inspired headgear and accessories have also been created especially for the event by local designer Colette Byrne and are available for purchase. Ms Ebanks notes, “We’re looking forward to seeing what our creative patrons come up with. Professional photographers David Goddard and Tony Mark will be there to capture your surreal inspired looks.”

Tickets to the event are now on sale and can be purchased individually for CI $185.00 per person or by tables, CI 1,750.00 for a table of ten and CI $2,120.00 for a table of twelve. Tickets purchased after 15 November 2014 will increase in price. For event details contact the events team at [email protected] or call The National Gallery on (345) 945 8111.

Photo Captions:

Guests Having Fun Dancing at The Factory Ball in 2012

Gala Chairwoman Leslie Bergstrom and NGCI Events Coordinator Meegan Ebanks at the Bright Young Things Gala in 2013