Now more than ever,
access to the arts and a safe space for reflection and healing are
needed in order to grapple with the effects of the global pandemic.
With this in mind, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI)
has been working hard to adapt their museum site in accordance with
new health and safety measures and social distancing requirements and
are now open to the public.

The safety and wellbeing
of the team and visitors is NGCI’s number one priority and new
measures have been put in place that will temporarily limit site
access to help safely manage visitor flow. This includes a time-entry
system with pre-booking available online or via phone, and a new
one-way visiting system throughout the exhibition spaces. Be sure to
visit the Gallery’s blog site to see the latest information on
these measures. Booking your visit in advance is encouraged in order
to avoid waiting for entry.

Visitors to the Gallery
will have a chance to enjoy three exhibition experiences, including
the brand new Saltwater in Their Veins – a permanent
collection showcasein the upper exhibition hall that explores
Cayman’s evolving relationship to the ocean through works by 45
artists. Two other popular NGCI exhibitions - the Island of Women
exhibition with 26 local artists exploring the contribution that
women have made to Caymanian society, and Bendel Hydes Collection
Acquisitions – have been extended through 21 August. NGCI’s
Sculpture Garden and Labyrinth will also be open to enjoy, although
the Art café, library, and education studio will remain closed.

During summer months NGCI
will also continue to run a busy online programme of virtual
exhibition tours, art classes and family education resources via
their website (www.nationalgallery.org.ky).
This will include talks and lectures as well as special highlights
from the new National Collection Online Project which features 200
artworks from the National Collection. “It has been wonderful to
see the outpouring of support for these digital resources and we will
be continuing to provide virtual workshops for children and families,
lesson plans, special lectures and events throughout the summer
months to keep you connected to the arts” says NGCI Director
Natalie Urquhart. “Please also look out for our regular blogs posts
by NGCI staff and invited guests over the coming months, and also
follow us on Facebook at National Gallery of the Cayman Islands for
daily posts relating to our collections and exhibitions via our
Instagram page at @natgalcayman.”

NGCI would like to extend
their sincere thank you to all members and the Cayman community for
their continued support as the Gallery continues to adapt to this
evolving situation. Their efforts have not been simply to keep the
institution alive but thriving and changed permanently for the
better.

The National Gallery is
located on Esterley Tibbetts Hwy and is open Monday to Saturday from
10:00 – 5:00PM. Visits can now be booked via the NGCI website at
https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/visit/timed-booking-entry-form/
or to the email address at reception@nationalgallery.org.ky
or by calling (345) 945 8111.

Caption 1:
Installation view of the new NGCI exhibition “Saltwater in Their
Veins”

Caption 2: Safe
Harbour (2008) by Randy Chollette

Caption 3: Popular
“Island of Women” exhibition extended through August.

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About the
National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

Established in
1996, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) is the
country’s leading visual arts museum and education centre, charged
with promoting and encouraging the appreciation and practice of the
visual arts in the Cayman Islands. This mission is achieved through
exhibitions, education/outreach programmes, school tours, community
festivals, and ongoing research projects. Holding up to six
exhibitions annually at our central exhibition space, and satellite
venues around Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands, the curatorial
team strives to create a balance between exhibitions of quality
Caymanian artwork with art from further afield. This is achieved by
working with a broad cross-section of artists and ranging from
site-specific work to more traditional gallery-based projects.

NGCI is at the
forefront of visual arts education in the Cayman Islands hosting 25+
education and outreach programmes monthly, across all three islands.
These programmes aim to capture every age group in our community from
the youngest pre-schoolers to senior citizens, in addition to
marginalized members of our community. They combine arts education
with enriching creative experiences which foster creativity, help
build self-esteem, and provide effective and invaluable explorations
of culture, cultural heritage, national identity and community
values.