News

The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands’ (NGCI) exhibition and auction is back for its sixth iteration, opening for viewing on 07 October. This year 28 local artists have joined NGCI to raise funds for the development and conservation of the National Gallery’s permanent art collection and the related collection-based cross curricular School Tour programme.

The Big Art Auction (BAA) initially started in 2011 to help raise funds for the National Gallery Capital Campaign and building project. The popular event has been held every other year since and is designed to help NGCI raise funds for collections and education, while ensuring that participating artists also benefit via a 50/50 spilt of funds raised from the sale of their work. The artwork is on display for the month of October and curator-led tours of the exhibition can be booked. An e-catalogue featuring all work to be auctioned, along with artist biographies, is available via the NGCI website. The BAA will culminate with a special reception, during which all 28 works will be auctioned. Philip Paschalides returns to the auctioneer podium this year to raise important funds while entertaining the crowd with his entertaining “Sotheby-styled” auction approach.

2020 participating artists include: John Bird, Lois Brezinski, John Broad, Debbie Chase van der Bol, Randy Chollette, Maya Cochrane, Al Ebanks, Kaitlyn Elphinstone, Kathryn Elphinstone, Horacio Esteban, Bendel Hydes,  Tessa Hansen, Teresa Grimes, John Reno Jackson, Raphael Leigh Powery, Peggy Leshikar-Denton, Charles Long, Nickola McCoy Snell, Sarah McDougall, Pascal Pernix, Courtney Platt, Miguel Powery, Yonier Powery, Gordon Solomon, Nasaria Suckoo Chollette, Karoly Szucs, Simon Tatum, and Avril Ward.

“We had an overwhelming response to our BAA ‘Call for Artists’ this year and we are extremely grateful for the support of our arts community and all participating artists,” says NGCI Director Natalie Urquhart. “NGCI is funded through a public/private partnership structure and our annual fundraising events raise critical revenue to keep Gallery admission and education free to all of our community.  Now more than ever our students need access to the arts and this year proceeds from BAA will fund our cross curricular collection-based School Tour programme. Our hope is that collectors will bid generously despite these unprecedented times, so that this vital programme continues.”

The exhibition runs 07 – 29 October, 2020, and is open from 10:00AM – 5:00PM, Monday to Friday. Admission to the gallery is free and special tours can be booked via collections@nationalgallery.org.ky. For more information about the auction event