The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) opens a new exhibition this week in the Dart Auditorium/ Community Gallery, showcasing close to 100 works of art by 68 students who have participated in the NGCI Outreach Programmes this year.

The exhibition titled The Gift of Healing is open to the public and has been curated by this year’s NGCI Deutsche Bank Intern Candace Welcome.

“It’s been quite the experience working with participants from the NGCI outreach programmes and curating the annual outreach exhibition. I am thrilled that these works are on public display so everyone can appreciate the tremendous achievements that have been made this year,” said Ms Welcome.

NGCI outreach programmes include: Art Haven (classes for participants from Caribbean Haven, HMP Northward, HMP Fairbanks and HMP Northward Juveniles) taught by Mr Joseph Betty and sponsored by Lori Monk and Kevin Buttler, EY’s Art Talk for participants aged 50+ taught by Kerwin Ebanks and sponsored by EY, EY’s Meet Me held in Grand Cayman and in Cayman Brac for residents of rest homes taught by Kerwin Ebanks and Simone Scott and sponsored by EY, and Sunrise Art Clubfor adults with disabilities taught by David Bridgeman.

The NGCI Outreach programmes cater to a wide variety of community groups, ages and artistic levels. Art classes are held on site at the National Gallery where possible, and for some NGCI instructors go out into the community to lead art projects. Classes encourage the discovery of new skills and development of abilities through experimentation and apply concepts of art therapy where appropriate.

NGCI Operations and Programme Manager Tanya Whiteside explained, “Outreach is a vital link for people in the community who may not be able to attend public NGCI programmes, such as children with disabilities, young offenders, senior citizens, elderly people suffering from Alzheimer’s and ordinary people struggling to free themselves from drug addiction. These outreach classes account for a large portion of the National Gallery’s annual output and are made possible at no cost through the generosity of donors and sponsors.”

The NGCI Outreach Exhibition, The Gift of Healing will be on display until 25 May 2016.

For more information about the outreach programmes at the National Gallery call (345) 945 8111 or email education@nationalgallery.org.ky.