Spectacular footage of Grand Cayman includes crystal clear turquoise waters at Stingray City, Rum Point and Seven Mile beach. Director Ernest Jacob Olde is seen in the water holding a Stingray whilst his voice is heard in voice over explaining that the island was not always this idyllic. “It’s through the arts that we can explore the story of Cayman.”
The history of early art in Cayman is introduced through the story of the islands seafaring heritage. Interviews with artists are accompanied by footage of works of art from each decade from the 1960s through the millennium. Jacob’s voice over narration introduces the key shifts in artistic trends as we move through the islands development. B-roll footage and still images include relevant island locations, flora, fauna and pertinent happenings including the building of the new National Gallery on Grand Cayman and the devastation caused by hurricane Ivan in 2004.
We see the national gallery as so much more than just a gallery. We see footage of children in both the gallery and the education centre. Interview footage includes the gallery director and the government minister for culture. The closing montage of comments from artists reinforces the importance of the gallery and its permanent collection. Jacob concludes on how Caymanian art “provides us with confidence as a people, and a springboard on which to launch our future.”
A final screen explains the delicate balance of government and private funding sources and provides contact details for the gallery.