Cayman NationalMuseum announces McCoy Prize
L-R Mrs.Joy Basdeo PS Ministry of Culture, Harris A McCoy III, Ms AnitaEbanks Director of Cayman Islands National Museum and Mrs. TheresaLewis-Pitcairn Board Chairperson of the National Museum.
The Cayman Islands National Museum continuesits tradition of support for national heritage and culture withthe announcement of the McCoy Prize for Caymanian artists.
A cash prize of CI$1,500 will be awardedto the winning artist. Additionally, an educational grant of CI$1,500will be awarded for further art training.
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islandsand the National Museum will annually award the McCoy Prize, withthe first award being in May 2002.
Joy Basdeo, Permanent Secretary for Culture,remarked, "The Ministry is delighted to see the collaborativeefforts of organizations within our Ministry, working togetherto promote and safeguard creative expression and cultural awarenessin Cayman Islands."
The Museum's exhibit entitled "TheReal McCoy: Authentic Caymanian Furniture by Wilbanks Miller",which closed in November after a successful run of seven months,was the impetus for the Prize.
The Prize is sponsored by the McCoy Familyof North Side to encourage and reward excellence in Caymaniancontemporary visual arts. It will be awarded to one Caymanianartist each year, whose work shows a high standard of achievementand a substantial development of style due to commitment, dedicationand the pursuit of knowledge in their chosen medium.
National Museum Director, L. Anita Ebankssaid, "We treasure all of our exhibits, but our partnershipwith the McCoy family in bringing to the public 'The Real McCoy',and now the McCoy Prize to further support things Caymanian, isa real celebration of our culture." Theresa Lewis-Pitcairn,Museum Board Chair, concurred, "We deeply appreciate thisoutstanding support from our Board member, Mr. Harris McCoy andcommend his family for generously funding such a prize."
Interested Caymanian artists are asked topick up McCoy Prize information, Initial Interest form (due 15February) and Application form (due 5 April) from either the officeof the National Museum or the National Gallery. Applicants mustbe over 18 years of age, and an active member of the arts communitywith a history of producing and exhibiting recent original worksof art for at least two consecutive years. A maximum of two recentpieces of original works of art in any medium, which previouslyhave not been exhibited nor displayed, will be eligible for submission.