Governor visits Quincentennial Wall of History
His Excellency, the Governor,
Mr. Bruce Dinwiddy's attention is caught by the details of the
plan for the completion of the Quincentennial Wall of History,
as Mrs. Angela Martins, Executive Director of the Quincentennial
Celebrations Office takes time to explain the project. At left
is artist John Broad, and at right, Mr. Ezzard Miller, Chairman
of the National Quincentennial Committee.
His Excellency, the Governor Mr. Bruce Dinwiddy, has expressed his delight at the work being done on the Quincentennial Wall of History, when he visited the workshop at Grand Harbour on Monday (17 March).
"This is very exciting, and an original approach which is shaping up in a promising way," the Governor noted, as he inspected the Wall along with artist John Broad, Quincentennial Executive Director, Mrs. Angela Martins, Chairman of the National Quincentennial Committee, Mr. Ezzard Miller and Director of the National Gallery, Ms. Leslie Bigelman.
The Wall of History, which will depict milestones in the 500-year history of the Cayman Islands, is made up of five panels. The first represents historically important events. The next three sections, which are being rendered by artist John Broad, will also portray historic scenes and people on 500 tiles numbered from 1503 to 2003.
Mr. Broad is using ceramic tiles that have been heat-treated in a furnace, and a variety of media, to create a colourful wall with a variety of historic Caymanian scenes and people. He is assisted by Grace Wright who paints the years on each tile, and Hermes Solomon-Hydes, who fires the tiles in the kiln.
The fifth section will bear the names of members of the public who have purchased tiles in support of the project. Tiles are now on sale through the Quincentennial Office.
The Wall of History "will be a marvelous representation of Cayman's history for all Caymanians and visitors to enjoy. I am pleased to see that it has come to fruition so successfully," Mr. Dinwiddy stated.
The Wall of History, which will be part of Quincentennial Square in the heart of George Town, will be unveiled on 10 May, during the royal visit of Britain's Prince Edward.
The project is sponsored by Cayman National and is being overseen by the National Gallery.