The NGCI Education Team have been taking art classes on the road to schools and community spaces throughout our Islands with thanks to our Art on the Road partners, Rawlinson & Hunter. As part of NGCI’s wider mission of being accessible to everyone in our community, Art on the Road has allowed NGCI to reach a broader student audience, enrich school learning through the arts and address logistical challenges that many schools have reported facing in organising field trips.
Throughout the Programme, students have learnt about the National Collection, and how the arts help to preserve, reflect and influence our Islands’ heritage and culture. This year, Art on the Road explored themes of Art Using Local Materials; Art and the Environment; Maritime Heritage; Architectural Heritage; Plants and Flowers and Exploring Colours. Lessons included a small presentation followed by an integrated art activity, featuring various techniques and materials, such as recycled materials, pointillism and oil pastels.
Delivering our programming in Cayman Brac was a major milestone for Art on the Road, where students’ feedback demonstrated the significant impact of the Programme. Heartfelt comments included “I hope you come back soon! I loved this art project!” and “Thank you so much for coming here and teaching us art. This was really fun and I wish we could do more!”.
School teachers reported increased participation and critical thinking in students, with one Educator stating “Thank you all for this wonderful experience, I really want to give the kids a chance to learn about Cayman through various avenues including the arts. Thanks for the beautiful art activity”. Reflecting on the 2024-2025 Programme, Lori Peterson, NGCI’s Education Assistant stated, “students learnt how artists use their visual creative skills to address or express concerns or emotions on various topics which in turn allowed the students to learn that they are allowed to think outside the box.”
Since 2020, the Programme has served 16 schools, with over 1,600 students participating in the Project. Thank you to our schools and participants for taking part! On behalf of all Art on the Road participants and everyone at the National Gallery, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Rawlinson & Hunter for their support of the Programme. We are incredibly grateful for Rawlinson & Hunter’s continued sponsorship of this vital community initiative that has enriched the lives of young people within the Cayman Islands.
