Cayman has a good selection of great cultural and educational programmes that will expand your horizons and your friendship circle.
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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 has expertise in pottery and ceramics. They offer learning workshops and ‘open studios’ where you can work independently and make use of the equipment which includes three potter's wheels, a kiln, slab roller, tools, various types of clay and glazes and other supplies. VAS hosts several art markets and exhibitions providing opportunities for artists to exhibit and sell their work. The studio is located at the Watler House Studio, on the grounds of Pedro St. James and is also available to rent for private use. 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 and mixed media in addition to lectures on art and cultural history. NGCI hosts several Open Call exhibition opportunities during the year as well as Artisans 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 on thatch weaving and yoyo quilting. Reservations are required. Visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/events for the schedule of classes 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, adults 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 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. Their popular art camps are held during the school holidays. Head down to purchase art supply kits at Elizabethan Square, 80 Shedden Road, George Town, call (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 and every other Thursday from 5-8pm for adults - there is no need to book. The price for adults is CI$10 per hour and CI$8 for kids, plus the cost of your chosen piece (most pieces range from CI$15-25). In addition, their monthly art classes are aimed at all ages, and include glazing, string art, sign making on wood planks, fluid art and more and the schedule can be found on their website. 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 or to become a member visit www.cds.ky or email boxoffice@cds.ky for enquiries.
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 (see below). Other festivals under the CNCF umbrella are the International Storytelling Festival of the Cayman Islands (Gimistory, see below) 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. Call (345) 949 5477 or visit their Facebook page.
Red Sky at Night
Red Sky at Night is a multidisciplinary arts fair that typically kicks off their Cayman National Festival of the Arts route, celebrating all things arts and culture. The event features a diverse array of entertainment, including live dance, music, drama performances, and poetry readings, alongside displays of visual arts, crafts and films. From steel pan, fiddles and drums to DJs, dance troupe performances, storytelling and theatre, there is no shortage of entertainment. Explore dozens of artisan booths showcasing locally made art, crafts, jewellery, clothes and accessories. Savour delicious cuisine from food vendors offering traditional Caymanian dishes and international delicacies. For more information or to volunteer, contact CNCF at (345) 949 5477.
Gimistory is a long-running storytelling festival that features guest storytellers from the Cayman Islands and the wider Caribbean. Over a week-long programme in November, the festival travels to different public venues and local schools in all districts on all three Islands. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI)
Located along the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, which sits in a beautiful 9,000sq ft home, is a dynamic non-profit arts
organisation which 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.
For more information, visit their Visitor's Centre in the South Sound Dart Family Park which is open 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 is a state-of-the-art movie theatre located in the heart of Camana Bay and boasts seven screens, three of which are VIP auditoriums complete with 4K picture resolution, Dolby Atmos Immersive Audio and Luxury Recliners. Select auditoriums also include extravagant day beds and Laser Projection for the ultimate viewing experience.
They host a range of events, including Kids Club on Saturday mornings with lower volume and brighter lights, Classics @ the Cinema and Culture @ the Cinema where you can enjoy screenings of internationally renowned productions, including Bolshoi Ballet and West End productions, filmed at some of the most famous cultural institutions across the world.
Grab a snack, delicious chicken wings or a freshly made pizza from the fully stocked concession stand. For current movie listings and times, visit www.bigscreen.ky or to book tickets visit Fandango.
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 provides group and private lessons in a variety of string and woodwind instruments, including guitar, piano, flute, drums, violin, saxophone, ukulele and bass, and tuition in singing, music theory, drama 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).
Established in 2001, Musicians Ltd. is a leading provider of music and performing arts in the Cayman Islands. Instrumental lessons are offered on piano, guitar, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, drums and composition. Individual and paired lessons are available at their dedicated studio, as well as several schools on-Island. Performing arts group classes are also available, with several major performing opportunities throughout the year, including a full scale annual production.For more information contact office@musicians.ky, visit www.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. For more information call (345) 321 5126, email info@jukebox.ky or visit www.jukebox.ky.
Talks
Infinite Mindcare's Talk Series takes place on the third Saturday of every month at Next Chapter in Camana Bay at 3pm. Each session explores a different topic, such as the importance of sleep, maintaining friendships, and cultivating a healthy mindset on social media. The talks are led by professional psychotherapists from Infinite Mindcare, and a different book is recommended each month. Additionally, they host a monthly After Dark Talk series on Tuesdays at 7pm and a Coffee, Reggae, and Mental Health series on Sundays. For more information, call (345) 926 0882 or visit Facebook page.
The Cayman National Choir & Orchestra
The Cayman National Choir & Orchestra are open to everyone from age seven and no audition is required. Choir practice is held on Monday from 7.30pm-9pm and orchestra practice is held on Wednesday from 7.30pm-9pm. They host a variety of concerts throughout the year which cater and support various charities as well as the running of the organisation. Email Charity Putman at caymanchoirandorchestra@gmail.com for location information.
There is also a popular choir at Sunrise Community Church. See the Churches & Religious Services page for more information.