The management board and staff of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) and Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Ltd. would like to congratulate two students, 19 year old Simon Tatum and 18 year old Lorena Morejon, who have recently been awarded the coveted Deutsche Bank’s — National Gallery Visual Arts Scholarship.

Launched as a partnership between Deutsche Bank and the National Gallery in 2008 to support the development of young Caymanian students who wish to pursue a career in the arts, the scholarship is worth a maximum of US$20,000 per annum for up to four years. The biennial award is available to Caymanians and students who reside permanently in the Cayman Islands between the ages of 17 and 25 years.

Janet Hislop, Chief Country Officer of Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, comments, “To be able to support the Gallery in nurturing the obvious enthusiasm of both Lorena and Simon is absolutely fantastic. It is clear that not only do they both have a genuine love for their art, but that they also see a place for it in Cayman, and it is a pleasure to support a scheme that can benefit young Caymanian artists who share this sort of passion. This scholarship continues to play a really important role in helping young Caymanian artists to develop artistically and in opening up exciting new opportunities for them.”

Given the increased interest in tertiary arts education, the Deutsche Bank’s — National Gallery Visual Art Scholarship is becoming increasingly competitive. NGCI Director, Natalie Urquhart, explains, “This is an unparalleled opportunity for creative young people in Cayman wishing to further their education, develop their talents, reach their potential, and in doing, enhance the community in which we live and work. We are delighted to continue partnering with Deutsche Bank to administer the Scholarship and congratulate Simon and Lorena on their worthy applications. Both students demonstrated their passion and dedication to fine art and film studies respectively, making them very worthy recipients. We wish them the greatest success in their studies.”

Simon Tatum

Mr Tatum has been involved in the National Children’s Festival of the Arts and was employed by the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands as a Summer Intern in 2013. This September Mr Tatum embarkes on his second year of studies at the University of Missouri where he is majoring in Art History and Painting.

Mr Tatum notes, “The future of our country relies upon our ability to conserve and promote the history, culture, and heritage of the Caymanian people. This includes the promotion of the Caymanian art and artists both within our community and abroad. As a young Caymanian and prospective artist, I hope to contribute to this area. I find myself truly blessed to have been granted the Deutsche Bank’s — National Gallery Visual Arts Scholarship, for the funds that this scholarship provides will help relieve me of a large portion of my college finances and allow me to concentrate solely on my studies. Moreover, I am grateful for the opportunity to be abroad and hope to learn as much as I can during my time there, so that I may benefit the art, culture, and community the Cayman Islands when I return.”

Lorena Morejon

Ms Morejon has already won several awards as a student of art and film. Two years ago she entered the Cayman Islands National Cultural Foundation’s Young Image Makers Short Film Competition and won two awards — the People’s Choice and Overall Winner of the competition — which entitled her to an all-expense paid trip to Manhattan to participate in the New York Film Academy summer camp. Ms Morejon also participated in a short news broadcast contest with two other students and won first place for capturing and presenting a controversial topic, and has won high school titles for most outstanding in art, most outstanding in advanced placement art and artist of the month at Triple C School.

This September Ms Morejon has embarked on her first year in upstate New York where she is pursuing a BFA in Film, Photography and Visual Arts at Ithaca College and Full Sail University. Ms Morejon comments, “Words alone cannot express the gratitude that I feel for receiving the Deutsche Bank’s — National Gallery Scholarship and being able to pursue my goals at collage. I am looking forward to a great first year.”

For more information about the Deutsche Bank’s — National Gallery Visual Arts Scholarship and other opportunities for students at the National Gallery, email [email protected] or call (345) 945 8111.