Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette won first prize in the Fine
Art section, for her painting, ‘Maiden Plum’

Tenson Scott won the Fine Craft with his piece,
called ‘The Dirty Joke Necklace’ as well as the ‘Best
in Show’ prize

Sheree Ebanks won first place in the Fine Art
Photography section for her photograph called ‘The
Light Bath'

The McCoy Prize 2006 Award Ceremony and Exhibition opening took place on the site of the old Gold’s Gym in George Town.

The exhibition, which is one of the most prestigious events on Cayman’s art calendar, features art solely from Caymanian artists in three categories, Fine Art, Fine Art Photography and Fine Craft.

Anita Ebanks, Director of the Cayman Islands National Museum, began by welcoming the guests. Later in a short speech, she took the opportunity to thank all the past and present Government Ministers who have been responsible for culture, for their support.

Angela Martins MBE, JP, Director of the Cayman Islands National Museum, spoke about value of an art event such as this one in helping Caymanians re-define what being Caymanian means, by not just looking back into the past, but also looking forward.

The awards for each category were presented by Captain Harris McCoy Jr. whose family founded the prize.

Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette gained the first prize in the Fine Art category for her painting entitled ‘Maiden Plum’.

Tenson Scott won Fine Craft with his piece, called ‘The Dirty Joke Necklace’ In addition, Mr Scott won the new ‘Best in Show’ prize, of $4,000.

Sheree Ebanks won first prize in the Fine Art Photography section for her photograph of the inside of a cave, called, The Light Bath.

After the awards were presented, the guests were welcomed into the exhibition.

Guests at the exhibition included the former Minister of Education, Roy Bodden, as well as previous prizewinners including Randy Chollette, Aston Ebanks, and Wray Banker.

The aim of the McCoy Prize Exhibition is to encourage Caymanian art by offering prize money for the best pieces of artwork in different categories.

Harris McCoy III created the prize, which the McCoy Family continues to fund each year. Mr McCoy also helps to administer the prize, along with executive Director of the National Museum, Anita Ebanks, and Director of the National Gallery, Nancy Barnard.

The prize money has been increased to CI$10,000 in total this year.

Each of the three categories, Fine Art, Fine Art Photography, and Fine Craft, carry prizes of CI $2,000 each.

The new category, ‘Best in Show,’ which is decided from the winners of each of the other three categories, carries a prize of CI$ 4,000.

There is also another new category, ‘Artists’ Choice,’ which has been included so that artists can choose their favorite piece from among their peers.

Early this year, in an interview with Cayman Net News, Harris McCoy III expressed his satisfaction that the prize and exhibition were achieving their aims of encouraging art among Caymanians.

“We have never had so much art work from Caymanians in the exhibition,” he stressed.

Other intangible benefits, too: “One of the key things (the exhibition has achieved) has been the feeling of respect for Caymanian art,” Mr McCoy said.

Mr McCoy was enthusiastic about the new venue for the exhibition: “We have 2,400 square feet. I hope that the size of the building will offer scope for artists wishing to produce larger work,” he said.

christopher@caymannetnews.com