The 2007 Million Dollar Run boat race takes place next weekend and a new addition to this year’s weekend long party is an art show at The Morgan Gallery. A total of 13 artists have contributed over 65 works to the exhibition, which has been described as one of the biggest ever by gallery owner Geraldine Morgan.

The artists involved come from a variety of backgrounds, both geographically and artistically, and have used a variety of styles to create their interpretations on the Million Dollar Run. Those with work submitted hail from all over the world, England, Canada, Scotland and of course Cayman, all sharing a love of the Island and a passion for art.

Million Dollar Run is being organised by Monster Media and their spokesperson, Searlina Bodden, is very enthusiastic about the addition of the art exhibit to this year’s event.

“It will be so interesting to see the event from the vantage point of the Island’s finest artists,” said Searlina.

Self-taught painter, Avril Ward, has established quite a reputation here on the Island and her submission ‘Round The Buoy’ perfectly captures the speed and excitement of the race.

Action scenes represent just one of the various images captured by the artists and the show also features marina scenes and portraits, as well as abstract works.

“It’s absolutely thrilling to see these artists capture the Million Dollar Run on their canvases,” enthused Searlina. “They have managed to each make their own unique creative observations and it has told us so much about how people view the event.”

Another of the many talents to submit work to the show is Caymanian artist Al Ebanks, a painter and trained sculptor. Mr Ebanks is a founder member of the Native Sons Art Group, which was set up to help promote and develop Cayman art.

For this exhibition, Mr Ebanks has submitted two paintings based on the Million Dollar Run theme including one entitled ‘To The Finish.’ A long established artist on the Island, Mr Ebanks’ work is well known and has been described as “impressionism with abstract twist,” by Mrs Morgan.

‘The Hand Is Quicker Than The Eye’ is another of the more abstract works on display, painted by Nickola McCoy. The Million Dollar Run is not just a race, there is also an element of chance involved, with each boat having to collect playing cards from various checkpoints along the way. Upon completion of the course, the boat crew holding the best poker hand wins and it is this aspect of luck in the race that comes though in Nickola’s art piece.

Other artists who will be featuring in the show include Sue Widmer, Gordon Solomon, April Bending, John Broad, James Webster, Renate Seffer, Randy Chollette, Carolyn Whitney, and Dora Williams.

“We are honoured that the Morgan Gallery chose this event as inspiration for an art exhibition,” said Searlina. “Million Dollar Run is an event steeped in tradition and culture, due to its maritime roots and it’s exciting to pass that on to the artists of Cayman.”

The art exhibition begins on 7 April and runs until 21 April at the Morgan Gallery in the Galleria Plaza on West Bay Road. The Million Dollar Race takes place on 9 April at Kaibo from noon onwards.