Walkers seeks best young artists

(CNS): In keeping with the firm's commitment to supporting art and educational opportunities for young people in the Cayman Islands, Walkers is hosting a School Art Competition to find the best young artists in Cayman. Since the competition was announced to local schools late last year, budding young artists have been busy submitting their entries. Walkers is offering cash prizes totalling US$15,000 for the schools of the winners and the theme of the competition – 'A Cayman Future' – reflects Walkers' recent move to its new offices on Elgin Avenue.

"As we moved to our new home on Elgin Avenue we wanted to mark this milestone by encouraging students to use their imagination to create fresh, modern pieces of artwork depicting what they think the Cayman Islands will look like in the future," said Antonia Hardy, Managing Partner of Walkers' Cayman Islands office. "We have been delighted by the response from the local schools and some of the themes selected are very imaginative, including the environment, tourism, Cayman's natural beauty and some futuristic space scenes. Overall the standard of entries has been extremely high, which will make judging the competition quite challenging."

Schools from across Cayman, including Cayman Brac have participated with 42 entries received by Walkers at the closing date. There are two age categories – 'Ten to Thirteen' and 'Fourteen to Seventeen' – with a First Prize of US$5,000, a Second Prize of US$1,500 and a Runners-Up prize of US$500 in each category, as well as a special prize of US$1,000 for the school with the 'Best Youngest Artist'.

Ms. Hardy is joined on the Judges' Panel for the competition by well-known local artist Wray Banker, Natalie Urquhart, Director of the Cayman Islands National Gallery and Inga Masjule, Walkers' Global Executive HR Director. Judging will take place in late February, with the winners announced shortly afterwards. An Awards Ceremony will be held in March at Walkers' offices, where the winning pieces of artwork will be unveiled.

Walkers is an active supporter of charitable causes across all the jurisdictions that the firm operates in, with a particular focus on art and educational opportunities for children as well as conservation programmes. Among the initiatives undertaken in Cayman in recent years, Walkers has sponsored the Art@Governors event for the past decade and local dance company Dance Unlimited. The firm has its own Children's Art Club, the 'Walkers Art Club', which is led by the National Gallery.