Gallery hosts exhibit of 100 plus student pieces

(CNS): The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) and a local law firm has been hosting an  exhibition of over 100 pieces of work by kids from the Walkers Art Club school programmes. The work was displayed in the Community Gallery and exhibiting artists ranged in age from pre-schoolers through to primary and secondary students, and teens. It included highlights from a busy year during which hundreds of work has been created of assemblage art, recycled art, drawing, painting, sculpture and collage. Subject matter included self-portraiture, icons of Cayman, nature, maritime history, as well as themes from the wider history of art.

Over one hundred people gathered to celebrate the students at the opening reception where the senior partner at Walkers Mark Lewis congratulated the kids on their impressive display.

“It is very pleasing to see first-hand the remarkable talent from Cayman's young artists exhibited here,” he said. “Walkers Art Club plays a key role in filling the need for creative, engaging, and accessible afterschool programming – in Grand Cayman, and now also in Cayman Brac. The Walkers Arts Club provides a unique opportunity for students from public and private schools to work collaboratively and forge new friendships.
“Enabling students from both public schools and the private schools to meet and interact over art is something we are very proud of,” he added.

Walkers has partnered with the National Gallery to provided free creative afterschool programming since in 2005. Initially starting with Walkers Art Club primary and secondary classes, in 2012 the programme grew even further to includeafter-school classes in Cayman Brac and a Teen Club for art students to aid in preparation for art and design examinations, the gallery explained in a release.

The most recent addition to the schedule was Walkers Lighthouse Club in 2013, which provides much-loved weekly classes for young people from the Lighthouse School.

“We believe that art is integral to the academic development of our children and this programme allows children of all ages, from preschool through high school, the opportunity to participate in a free comprehensive art classes,” said NGCI Director Natalie Urquhart. “Through a combination of hands-on instruction and individual experimentation with foundation principles, children learn technique, art history, self-confidence and how to form and articulate opinions about the work they are creating. In addition to individual art projects, students work collaboratively on group projects which connect participants to one another and encourage them to appreciate the unique abilities of their peers. We commend Walkers for their long-term commitment to this programme and are grateful for their ongoing support."

The exhibition closes this Friday and Walkers Art Club will resume in September. For information or to apply email intern@nationalgallery.org.ky or call (345) 945 8111.