Ocean navigators and creatures from the deep journeyed to the National Gallery on Friday 24 November for an Odyssey like no other. Sirens, mermen, sea witches and queens, alongside ocean creatures and pearl-adorned marine wonders were there to behold as guests were inspired by the mystery of the ocean depths and skies above for their nautical fashion inspirations.
The evening adventure began with a welcome reception in the main exhibition hall, followed by haute festival style dining in the garden, where a glowing golden ship was under siege by a kraken on the dance floor and visited by sea queens and sea dragons! Thankfully, our brave auctioneer Vicki Wheaton and our generous guests were not deterred from their auction odyssey and raised crucial funds that will expand access to the National Collection via tours, learning resources, art workshops and classroom visits, all designed to reinforce curricular learning, develop observational and critical thinking skills, boost self-esteem, and offer invaluable explorations of culture and community.
The galley sailed away just in time for dancing into the early hours when the adventure came to an end for another year.
Thank you to everyone who contributed, donated and gave their time to help make the Odyssey Gala such a success, including our wonderful sponsors listed below.
- Platinum Event Sponsors: Susan A. Olde, OBE, Intech Research and Production Services
- Platinum Auction Sponsors: Cayman Private Aviation
- Gold Auction Sponsors: HE the Governor Jane Owen, Paul and Sophia Harris, Cayman Eco Adventures
- Silver Event Sponsors: 1 World ltd, Agua, Jackie Soriano, Massive Equipment Rentals, LUCA, Ristorante Ragazzi
- Silver Auction Sponsors: Kimpton Seafire, Dining @ Home, The Ritz-Carlton, Department of Environment, Le Soleil D’Or
- Bronze Event Sponsors: Grand Old House, Jaques Scotts, Marriott Resort Grand Cayman, Quinntessential Movement, Sannyasa Yoga, The Warf
- Bronze Auction Sponsors: Beacon Farms, Caribbean Wine Bar, Cayman Limo, Cayman Cigars, Cinema Camana Bay, Calypso Grill, CCMI, Carlos V Garcia, Davin Ebanks, The Game Truck, Haagen-Dazs, Sydney and Claire Coleman, Cayman Kayaks, Cayman Turtle Centre, Mykonos, Ristorante Pappagallo
Special thanks to the Event Team on the night: auctioneer Victoria Wheaton, Michael Muirhead, Craig Urchyshyn, performers Renee Ravazzani, Quinn McCrimmon, Em Whitney, Michelle Augenstein, Kelly Smith, Abigail Woodhouse, Bronwyn Pollock and staff from LUCA, Ragazzi, Grand Old House, Grand Cayman Marriott Resort and The Wharf.
Thanks also to our event organiser and creative force Meegan Ebanks, Event Coordinator Patti Jane Ebanks, auction creator and guest liaison Vicki Calvert-Das and the rest of the NGCI team: Natalie Urquhart, Maia Muttoo, Monica Boothe, William Helfrecht, Lori Peterson, Tyra Iton, Daniela Granados Solis, Michael Rhoden, Garfield Thompson and Keisha Riley, along with Chairman Carl Brown, Deputy Chair Prasana, Treasurer Marco Calleja, and Board Members Susan A. Olde, OBE, Jennifer Dilbert MBE, Davin Ebanks, Isy Walton, Martyn Bould MBE, Matt Brown, Sacha Tibbetts and Theresa Broderick for their continued support.
Each year the annual fundraising gala also relies on the generosity of our volunteers and this year was no exception. Thank you to graphic designer Elyse Helfrecht, auction committee member Jo-Victoria Russell and event volunteers Lesley Aurther, Craig Caffarelli, Sean Ebanks, John Felderhoff, Michael Kennedy, Molly Morales, Sonia Sajnani, Sonja Salmon and Courtney Yates.
Below are just a few of the fabulous photos from the event, for the full albums please visit our Facebook page: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
