Cayman has a good selection of great cultural and educational programmes to help you settle in and meet new people.
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Whether it's a book club you're looking for, or a musical or drama outlet, read on to find the perfect community group to suit you.
Classes in Art, Painting, Photography, Pottery, Mosaics & More
The Visual Arts Society (VAS) is a thriving non-profit organisation that offers learning workshops and ‘open studios’, allowing artists to use the studio which includes their ceramic area equipped with tools, glazes, wheel, and kiln. VAS hosts several art markets and exhibits providing opportunities for artists to exhibit and sell arts and crafts. The studio is located at the Watler House Studio, on the grounds of Pedro St. James. Email: info@visualartcayman.com, or visit www.visualartcayman.com.
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands runs popular evening and weekend workshops and lectures for all ages and skill levels including ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, mixed media in addition to lectures on art and cultural history. NGCI hosts several Open Call exhibition opportunities during the year as well as Artisan Fairs.
Visit www.nationalgallery.org.ky for more information.
Gabrielle Wheaton gives private lessons in classical drawing and painting for the serious student or the casual hobbyist. Email: gab.wheaton@gmail.com or call (345) 517 3347 for more information.
The National Trust offers traditional craft classes once a month. Crafts include thatch weaving, yoyo quilting and rag rugs. Reservation required. Visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/events for the schedule of classes. For more information or to book a corporate or private customised guided tour call (345) 749 1121 or email: tours@nationaltrust.org.ky
Art Nest offers a variety of weekly creative classes for toddlers, children, teens and families. They also offer monthly art education events like paint and sip classes, pottery wheel workshops, fluid art pouring workshops, candle-making, culinary workshops, creative socials, team-building events, paint-your-own-pottery and more. They host several ‘Open Call’ exhibition opportunities during the year, as well as Artisan Fairs. You can also take part in their Art and Wellness initiative, a free programme of wellness classes and workshops, including meditation, yoga, nutrition and mindfulness.They also offer art supply kits. They host quarterly creative lay space events where toddlers aged 1-3 can enjoy messy play, sensory bins, music and crafts. Their after-school art club for children aged 5-12 is held on Mondays and they host family art classes on select Sundays, along with a paint-your-own-pottery open studio. They also offer popular art camps during the school holidays. Elizabethan Square, 80 Shedden Road, George Town. Tel: (345) 927 2258 or visit www.artnestcayman.com for a full schedule of monthly events.
3 Girls & a Kiln offers a kids’ drop-in studio every other Saturday between 11am-2pm, with no need to book. The price for adults is CI$10 and CI$8 for kids, plus the amount for your chosen piece (anywhere between CI$12 and CI$40). They also offer camps during the school holidays. Visit www.3girlsandakiln.com for dates, times and more information.
Cathy Church’s (Tel: (345) 949 7415) offers daily private above and underwater photography courses in the classroom and on shore dives for the underwater photographer. They also rent and sell a full range of underwater cameras that come with a free mini lesson.
Cayman Drama Society
The Cayman Drama Society has regular classes and workshops for adults interested in acting and directing. Productions also have many opportunities for people to get involved, with a new production underway every few months from comedy and high drama to musicals.
Dedicated members devote their time, talent and energy to ensure every production provides first-class entertainment. The classes for actors to train and hone their skills include an annual beginner’s course and weekly classes for those wanting a challenge as well as a summer course which can be anything from directing skills to performance skills. They also teach script-writing, stage management, light and sound, set design and construction.
There are also plenty of opportunities throughout the year such as costume, make-up, sound, lighting, bar and front-of-house.
For more information, email: training@cds.ky or visit www.cds.ky.
Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF)
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating and preserving Caymanian cultural arts by organising cultural festivals, staging and assisting others with shows at the FJ Harquail Cultural Centre, and engaging in artistic development, youth arts and special projects.
Among the many events CNCF organises throughout the year is the annual festival, Cayfest (Cayman Islands National Festival of the Arts). The Festival showcases Cayman’s cultural diversity and artistic talent, and features the National Arts and Culture Awards, a Dress For Culture Day, Heritage Days and the Red Sky at Night Festival. Other festivals under the CNCF umbrella are the International Storytelling Festival of the Cayman Islands (Gimistory) and the Pirates Week National Festival. CNCF also offers the 'Mind's Eye' tour of the South Sound home of the late Ms. Lassie Bush, Cayman's acclaimed intuitive artist. Theatrical productions are also staged throughout the year, such as the annual comedy revue, Rundown.
Theatrical productions are also staged throughout the year, such as the annual comedy revue, Rundown. Call (345) 949 5477 or visit artscayman.org.
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI)
Located along the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, the National Gallery and Education Centre’s 9,000sq ft home is a dynamic non-profit arts organisation.
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) facilitates a wide variety of local and international exhibitions throughout the year and is home to the national art collection. The gallery hosts a range of engaging events and art happenings throughout the year including lectures, workshops, and special events for members. Annual events include the Big Art Auction (October), the Fundraising Costume Gala (November) and a festive Member’s Christmas Party and Artisans Fair (December).
The NGCI also runs an active volunteer programme and welcomes new members. Admission is free to the public, however, donations are always welcome. For more information, call (345) 945 8111, email: info@nationalgallery.org.ky or visit www.nationalgallery.org.ky.
The National Trust
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands offers monthly activities that teach you a great deal about the Cayman Islands. Programmes include adult lectures based on local historical and environmental topics, as well as guided tours of the Mastic Trail, Blue Iguana Conservation, and Mission House. The National Trust also offers privately guided historic and nature walking tours, bird watching, and traditional cooking classes. Opening hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Call (345) 749 1121 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.ky for more information about The National Trust of the Cayman Islands.
Cinema
Camana Bay Cinema at Camana Bay is a state of-the-art, six-screen, 900-seat cinema showing the latest US and international releases. The theatres also feature dedicated seating areas and facilities for wheelchair users.
You can also watch a movie in their VIP Auditorium theatre which features reserved reclining seats, Dolby Atmos Surround Sound, and an ultra-high-resolution screen.
The cinema hosts monthly ‘Culture at the Cinema’ events, screening performances of London’s National Theatre and Bolshoi Ballet as well as ‘Kids Club’ features held every Saturday (lower volume and brighter lights) and monthly Classics at the Cinema events, showing classic movies on the big screen. Visit https://www.bigscreen.ky/cultureschedule for the upcoming schedule of events and to purchase tickets online.
Music
There are several options when it comes to private music lessons in the Cayman Islands, as well as lots of opportunities throughout the year to display your talents.
For a variety of instrumental lessons, contact Cayman Music School in Camana Bay offers a variety of instrumental lessons in guitar, piano, flute, drums, violin, saxophone, ukulele and bass, as well as lessons in singing, music theory and recording. They also offer a DJ course, musical theatre, band and drama classes. Music camps are held over school breaks. Other facilities include a music shop, The Music Box, instrument repair and a recording studio. Visit www.caymanmusicschool.com, email: caymanmusicschool@gmail.com or Tel: (345) 938 3838 (school) or (345) 929 2999 (shop).
Musicians Ltd. provide instrumental lessons on piano, guitar, ukulele, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums and composition. Individual and paired lessons are available at their dedicated studio, as well as a number of schools on island. Performing Arts Group Classes are also available with several major performing opportunities throughout the year, including a full annual production. For more information contact office@musicians.ky or call (345) 525 6787.
The Cayman Youth Choir is open for kids aged 4-18 years old and is free to join. No audition is necessary. The three differing age groups meet at John Gray High School on Mondays between 3.30-5.45pm. For more information, email Naomi Allnutt at caymanyouthchoir@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.
Spark! School of Performing Arts offers musical theatre and performing arts classes, as well as private instrument and vocal music lessons. For more information and to register, see www.sparkcayman.com or call (345) 929 2190.
Earl La Pierre teaches adult steel pan classes on Monday evenings at UCCI from 6pm-8pm. He also has a performing band, known as Pandemix, where newcomers are welcomed. Practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-8pm at UCCI. Call (345) 526 5059 or (345) 916 5676 to learn more.
For private lessons in singing, piano and music tutoring, contact Nicole Bodden at her studio in the Barnett Building, off the CNB roundabout. Tel: (345) 917 3753.
JukeBox offers private music lessons in singing, piano, guitar, violin and musical theory in your own home and also in some schools. In addition, they offer very popular group music sensory classes for babies and toddlers. Call Emily on (345) 321 5126, email her on info@jukebox.ky or visit www.jukebox.ky.
Myles Music Store (Tel: (345) 949 1753) also teaches classes in drums, piano, guitar, sax/trumpet, violin, ukulele and voice.
Talks
Next Chapter's Infinite Mindcare Talk Series takes place on the third Saturday of every month at 9am. Each month’s topic is different, covering subjects like the importance of sleep, maintaining friendships and keeping a healthy mindset on social media.
The talks are hosted by professional psychotherapists from Infinite Mindcare and a different book is recommended each month.
For more information on dates and location, call (345) 926 0882, (345) 640 2665, or visit www.facebook.com/infinitemindcare.
The Cayman National Choir & Orchestra
The Cayman National Choir & Orchestra are open to everyone from age seven and no audition is required. They host a variety of concerts throughout the year which cater and support various charities as well as the running of the organisation.
There is also a popular choir at Sunrise Community Church. See the Churches & Religious Services page for more information.