Grand Cayman Art Galleries: Nature AND Nurture.

I’ve related this page to the shopping page because Cayman art galleries position themselves that way. Visitors are their biggest customers. However, if you’ve come to this page by way of the shopping page, you may be surprised to find I’m starting with a gallery you can’t buy from (except at the gift shop) — The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands.

This gallery is, at present, housed at Harbour Place on South Church Street in George Town but it is due to move to new premises out on Harquail Bypass very soon (now scheduled for December 2011). The National Gallery (phone: 345-945-8111) hosts international touring exhibitions as well as capturing the Cayman experience through the eyes of artists over the decades and it’s an interesting collection — but not what you came for, right?

Right! You came to this page to start, add to, or round out your own or a friend or relative’s collection. On Grand Cayman, you’re in luck because Grand Cayman art galleries exist for almost every taste and wallet. As we’re in the Caribbean I’m going to begin with the most Caribbean of Cayman’s galleries — Pure Art.

Pure Art, on South Church Street, is also the most colorful of Grand Cayman art galleries. It features Cayman art, capturing the beauty of the islands, the surrounding ocean, the beaches the water and land worlds’ share, the plants and flowers that make Cayman so vivid, and the way people have added to all of that through their pastel-painted homes. Call ahead at: 345-949-9133

Another of the Cayman art galleries focusing on local artists is the Al Ebanks Studio and Gallery in George Town. This is a gallery that grew out of local artist Al Ebanks own studio. Today it features not only visual arts but also the works of local writers and musicians. The gallery’s phone number is: 345-916-0063

Ebanks is a traditional Cayman family name as is Bodden and, not to be outdone, the NasArt gallery is owned by, and showcases the work of, Luelan Bodden. This artist’s work, in mosaics, paintings, and sculptures, is a riot of color and form, which his studio embodies in every way, doors, floors, walls, and ceiling. Call: 345-945-8278

Another Cayman artist, Horacio Esteban, works in Caymanite, a semi-precious local stone. His gallery, the Esteban Gallery, is located in the AALL Bank & Trust building at the junction of Fort and North Church Streets and it’s open every day but Sunday, to be sure phone the gallery at: 345-946-2787

A gallery that features all the local artists, and more besides, is Island Art & Framing (ph. 345-947-2606) next to the Black Pearl Skate and Wave Park at Grand Harbour. This gallery features travel-sized art as does the next gallery, 24K-Mon.

24K-Mon Art gallery, located in Buckingham Square on Seven Mile Beach, also specializes in art gifts you can easily take or ship home. From photos of bygone Cayman, through brass, bronze, and porcelain to acrylic treasures, this gallery features all the local Cayman artists. Tel: 345-949-1499

The Kennedy Gallery on West Bay Road in the Seven Mile Beach area (near the Post Office) also carries work by local artists as well as international artists. Here you’ll find watercolors, oils and some smaller sculptures. Call them at: 345-949-8077

The Morgan Gallery in Galleria Plaza features local and international artists and in an elegant, sophisticated setting. This is a place for quiet contemplation of your tastes and a place to savor the selection before you purchase. You can find out more at: 345-943-5566

Cathy Church’s Underwater Photo Gallery (ph: 345-949-7415) is on South Church Street and only a short distance from Pure Art, visit one then visit the other. For stunning photos of the world around Cayman, this is the place to go. And, if you want, they’ll even help you take better pictures of your own underwater adventures.

Cathy Church’s gallery is about underwater images and, as such, is less ‘arty’ than, say, Pure Art but surprisingly close to another underwater art gallery’s theme. Guy Harvey paints underwater and other ocean scenes. His gallery is at 49 Harbour Drive in handy reach of the cruise ship terminal. The gallery is part of a package with the Guy Harvey’s Island Grill and a shop selling a wide selection of items with his artwork emblazoned on them. You see examples of his work as you arrive at Owen Roberts International airport and also at his website: www.GuyHarveyInc.com

Guy Harvey has a broad selection of interests, Bernard K Passman, on the other hand, is more focused. He’s a sculptor but don’t be put off by the usual image of sculpting, you will be able to carry his work home with you. Passman works in Black Coral, which, with the addition of gold, silver and precious gemstones, make truly original gifts. There are two Passman Cayman art galleries (he has others around the world), one on Fort Street and one on Cardinal Avenue. There’s also a website: www.passman.com

Bernard K Pressman and Guy Harvey aim for a well-to-do clientele but I have to put in a word for a collection of Cayman art galleries — Grand Cayman’s Arts & Crafts fair. It’s a ‘gallery’ for those who like art but are on a tighter budget. The Cayman Craft Market opens Mon – Fri, 8:30 am to 3 pm at the junction of South Church Street and Boilers Road.

From Cayman art galleries to other Caribbean artists and artwork, visit our-dominican-republic.com/local_artwork and discover Cabarete’s own Beachside Condo Resort “Vecinos” in the Dominican Republic. It’s owned + operated by Les + Lynda – a Canadian expat baby-boomer couple – who share their experiences of relocating from the “cold white north” to the tropical Caribbean 🙂

See some of the local artwork and talented artisans that abound in their area!

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