ArtBeat Radio Show

ArtBeat is a new weekly talk radio show by the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, where we discuss the latest developments in Cayman’s arts scene. Hosted by Education Manager Maia Muttoo and Community Engagement Coordinator Jessica Ebanks, ArtBeat features in-depth interviews with local creatives, colleagues, and community partners. Tune in every Saturday morning from 10 – 11 AM on BOBO 89.1 FM or listen to episodes here.

ArtBeat Episode 1: Nasaria Suckoo Chollette

Originally aired 13 August 2022

For this first show, host Maia Muttoo sits down with Nasaria Suckoo Chollette to discuss her mid-career solo show All the Coals We Left in the Fire, which is currently on exhibition at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands until October 13th. Nasaria is a visual artist, theatre practitioner and poet whose work explores themes of female strength and empowerment, race and the deconstruction of harmful racial narratives, cultural memory and Caymanian cultural traditions. Amongst other accolades, she is a winner of the McCoy Prize for art, a Gold Star for Creativity at the National Arts and Culture Awards and the Bendel Hydes Award in 2019’s inaugural Cayman Islands Biennial.

ArtBeat Episode 2: National Gallery Interns Megan Arch, Arianna Ebanks, and Daniela Granados

Originally aired 20 August 2022

On today’s show, Jessica Ebanks is joined by three National Gallery interns: Megan Arch – Annual Intern, Daniela Granados – Curatorial Intern, and Arianna Ebanks – Summer Intern. They have joined us through National Gallery’s Creative Careers programme, which is our training programme for young people interested in working in an arts organization. Here, they discuss their educational pursuits, internship experiences, and career aspirations. Following this conversation, Maia Muttoo lets us know what’s coming up at the National Gallery in August and September.

ArtBeat Episode 3: The Art Draft with Meegan Ebanks and Megan Arch

Originally aired 27 August 2022

On this episode, Maia Muttoo and Jessica Ebanks are joined by two other members of the National Gallery team. Megan Arch, Annual Intern and Meegan Ebanks, Head of Business and Facilities are here to do something a little different that will give listeners a peek into the National Art Collection and some of our exhibition history. We’re going to do an Art Draft – similar to a fantasy football draft, but with artworks instead of sports teams. The theme of today’s draft is Maritime artwork, with five categories:
  • New Acquisitions: Any work that has been part of the National Collection for three years or less.
  • Digital or New Media: This includes photography, film, digital drawing, animation
  • Sculpture
  • Craft: This includes both traditional and contemporary craft
  • Wildcard
Here’s how it works: each player will draft one Maritime artwork in each of our five categories. Once a piece has been spoken for it is off the board and cannot be selected again. With the exception of the New Acquisitions category, selections can be from any exhibition in the Gallery’s archive. Tune in for a lively conversation on Caymanian art, with a dose of healthy competition thrown in for good measure!
Meg’s Picks: Meegan’s Picks: Jessica’s Picks: Maia’s Picks:

ArtBeat Episode 4: Satellite Exhibitions with William Helfrecht and Daniela Granados

Originally aired 3 September 2022
Today, Maia Muttoo welcomes members of the National Gallery’s curatorial team for a conversation about our current satellite exhibitions on view at our partner venues Owen Roberts International Airport, the Little Cayman Museum and Cayman Brac Beach Resort. Collections Curator William Helfrecht and Curatorial Intern Daniela Granados tell us about the concepts behind the satellite shows Beloved Isles and Highlights from the Collection and explain the importance of offsite exhibitions as a way to increase public access to Caymanian art.

ArtBeat Episode 5: Researcher / Curator Kerri-Anne Chisholm and Artist Davin Ebanks

Originally aired 10 September 2022
On this episode of ArtBeat, we feature two interviews with guests Kerri-Anne Chisholm and Davin Ebanks. First, Jessica Ebanks sits down with Kerri-Anne, a curator and researcher currently pursuing her PhD in Curating in Practice at both the University of Reading and Zurich University of the Arts. We follow this with a conversation between NGCI Collections Curator and glass artist Davin Ebanks recorded in 2021 to discuss the artist’s award-winning work in the 2nd Cayman Islands Biennial, Reimagined Futures.

ArtBeat Episode 6: Creative Careers with John Reno Jackson and Simon Tatum

Originally aired 17 September 2022

Today’s show features a conversation between Jessica Ebanks and artists John Reno Jackson and Simon Tatum. Originally recorded in July 2022 as an instalment of our Business of Art series, the artists discuss their journeys as young Caymanians pursuing art professionally, and share advice for others interested in doing the same.

ArtBeat Episode 7: Nasaria Suckoo Chollette, Christopher Williams, and Lucille Seymour

Originally aired 24 September 2022

Jessica and Maia share the latest happenings coming up at the National Gallery in October. Following this is a conversation between artist Nasaria Suckoo Chollette, whose work is currently featured in the solo exhibition All the Coals We Left in the Fire, and Dr. Christopher Williams, associate professor of sociology, history, and philosophy at the University College of the Cayman Islands. They recently sat down with Collections Curator William Helfrecht to discuss the history and legacy of slavery and racism in the Cayman Islands, which are themes Nasaria explores in her artistic practice. Their discussion is followed by an interview with teacher, sportswoman and politician Lucille Seymour, on the roles of women in Caymanian society — another theme featuring prominently in Nasaria’s work. Tune in for these honest, important discussions.

Candace Westby​

ArtBeat Episode 8: Intellectual Property 101 with Candace Westby

Originally aired 1 October 2022

Candace Westby, Director of the Cayman Islands Intellectual Property Office (CIIPO) presents an in-depth overview of how to protect your creative works. Tune in to learn about the four types of intellectual property – design rights, trademarks, patents, and copyright – as well as your rights as a creator.

ArtBeat Episode 9: Older Persons Month

ArtBeat Episode 9: Older Persons Month

Originally aired 8 October 2022

October is Older Persons Month in Cayman, and to mark this occasion, today’s show is a double feature highlighting the contributions of our seniors. The first 30 minutes of the show features a conversation about seniors’ wellbeing, the National Gallery’s own seniors programme, and the wider Older Persons Month initiative with guests Cassandra Fearon from the Department of Children and Family Services, and Marco Calleja of EY, longtime sponsors of the National Gallery’s EY Seniors Programme. We then air a panel discussion originally hosted in February 2020 during our Island of Women exhibition, featuring Nettie Bush and Mickey Anderson reflecting on their personal stories of separation and survival while they stayed behind as their husbands went out to sea. Arthurlyn Pedley moderated the event, which also includes a poem recited by artist Nasaria Suckoo Cholette titled ‘Lady in Blue.’

ArtBeat Episode 10: Annual Gala & Fundraising at the National Gallery with Meegan Ebanks and Vicki Calvert-Das

Originally aired 15 October 2022

Hosts Maia Muttoo and Jessica Ebanks welcome their colleagues Meegan Ebanks, Head of Business and Facilities and Vicki Calvert-Das, Development Manager as they anticipate the return of the annual Fundraising Gala on 25 November 2022. This year’s theme is “Regency Garden Masquerade”, and proceeds from the event will support our free education and community engagement programmes. Tune in to learn about our fundraising initiatives and wonderful sponsors, along with some behind-the-scenes stories of galas past.

ArtBeat Episode 11: Pop & the Popular and The Ties That Bind exhibitions with William Helfrecht

Originally aired 22 October 2022

Collections Curator William Helfrecht joins the show to discuss the National Gallery’s newest exhibitions: Pop & the Popular and The Ties That Bind. This wide-ranging conversation touches on the history of the Pop Art movement in the 1960s, its influence on the work of contemporary artists practicing in Cayman, what to expect from Pop & the Popular, and the theme of community woven throughout the new exhibition The Ties That Bind.