ART IN THE CITY PAINTS THE TOWN RED FOR CAYMAN ART WEEK
JUNE 2022
Art in the City is the highly anticipated, flagship weekend event of Cayman Art Week, an annual week-long celebration of local art. Every year, the event brings culture enthusiasts to the central business district to enjoy live music, food and drink before exploring an eclectic mix of downtown exhibition spaces by foot or shuttle bus.
One of the goals of the George Town Revitalisation Initiative is to create more opportunities for connectivity within the central business district, from enhancing existing infrastructure and transportation options to partnering with local businesses to create new experiences for residents and visitors.
Every year, the Ministry of Infrastructure, through the George Town Revitalisation Initiative, partners with Cayman Art Week on this innovative initiative that is making local art more visible and accessible on a commercial level.
George Town has long been a hub for the Cayman Islands’ creative collective, boasting the largest concentration of art galleries and studios across the islands. Throughout Cayman Art Week, the public can explore the plethora of pop-up shows, featured exhibitions and interactive events put on by local art galleries, studios and spaces via specially curated walking tours or at their leisure, as the city comes alive with creativity and culture.
Culminating at Art in the City, the event supports the Ministry’s mission by bringing together the Cayman Islands’ diverse community for a shared appreciation of arts and culture, and creating a platform for many of the artists, gallerists and businessowners that have chosen to make George Town their home.
This year’s happenings also gave participants a glimpse into the future of George Town, thanks to the generous support of some of the Central Business District Enhancement Project’s key stakeholders.
Cayman’s official timekeeper, Kirk Freeport—who celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022—brought to life the new Cardinall Avenue, which is currently undergoing enhancements into a pedestrian friendly street. The long-standing local retailer for duty-free goods has several stores along Cardinall Avenue and, as Art in the City’s official lounge sponsor, gave event goers a taste of some of the popular shopping destination’s new features, such as street furniture and lighting.
Shuttle buses running throughout the night provided a convenient and reliable route around town courtesy of Cricket Square, who’s new 7-storey, 150,000 square foot commercial building, Pavilion East, will join the George Town skyline in 2024. Orchid Development has worked closely with the George Town Revitalisation Initiative to include exciting plans to enhance the George Town experience for pedestrians, cyclists and bus services, in its development plans.
New infrastructure planned for the town centre also includes free public wi-fi that will further enhance the downtown experience through a partnership with SALT Technology Group. The IT & Technology company provided a preview of what this would be like at Art in the City, facilitating complimentary wi-fi on the night by way of a smart solar bench. A collaboration between the George Town Revitalisation Initiative, the Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency and SALT Technology Group, two smart solar benches are being installed in strategic downtown locations this summer and will offer free wi-fi and wireless device charging, powered by the sun.
Art in the City was also made possible by host Monaco Towers, one of Cayman’s most recently renovated business addresses, as well as Butterfield, who also projected local artworks on its flagship building on the adjacent side of Heroes Square throughout the evening, and Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits.
Check out the highlights from Art in the City, and follow George Town Revitalisation on Facebook and @gtrevitalisation on Instagram to stay in the know of upcoming George Town happenings.