ABOUT Cayman Tradtional Arts:

Cayman Traditional Arts (CTA) has taken the initiative to promote and preserve caymanian culture through demonstrations, workshops and events. CTA is committed to providing an authentic and professional representation of Caymanian culture and heritage to the community and the travel industry.

OUR Vision…

Our Mission :

CTA's mission is to educate, promote, preserve and enhance traditional Caymanian culture, by facilitating events, entertainment, demonstrations, workshops (kids & adults), and promoting caymanian products.

Integrity
We do things for the right reasons, in support of our children and the quality of their experience, whilst preserving our heritage and being protective of our environment.

Excellence
In everything we do, in our programs and in our people. In recruiting professional staff, and bringing in the most talented Caymanians from all three Islands to demonstrate and instruct their knowledge. We offer the highest standard of art, craft and heritage activities in our programs.

Growth of individuals
Be it the children, demonstrators, artisans or staff, we model the total team concept and empower all people to grow through their involvement with us at CTA.

Continuity of purpose
We respect and carry on the strong legacy of our original supporters, founders and forefathers.

Forward thinking
We are a visionary, leading organization that is continually changing and evolving to better serve our mission.

Wise use of resources
We ensure that donated resources are managed effectively and used to their maximum advantage.

Respect

We instil respect for our community, our environment and of our heritage.

Our People

Instructors from around all three Islands are sought out by CTA to contribute their knowledge and talents into the programmes and events.

Ms. Winsome Palmer: CTA Instructor

ART EVENTS:

Festival Time, the upcoming art exhibit, coordinated by CTA opens at The Gallery of the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, on February 13, 2008 from 6pm -8pmFor more information E: cta@weststartv.com or contact the retail department at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Native Sons, a local group of Artist's will be presenting "Grass Peice" at Morgan's Gallery on February 19th, 2008. Featuring works from: Wray Banker, Chris Christian, Randy Chollette, Al Ebanks, Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette, Nickola McCoy and Gordon Solomon.

EXPERIENCE CTA at events, camps and workshops throughout the year CTA brings forth the Caymanian heritage in a professional, artistic and fun way for all to enjoy. Visit us at our NEW location at #60 West Church Street, West Bay in the National Trust (Nurse Leila House)

Also visit CTA each day on Cayman Street at Boatswains Beach, the new home of Cayman's Turtle Farm. Call 949-3894 for details.

CTA Events:

CTA offers cultural event packages that allow everyone from corporate groups to smaller groups who want a more personalized package, to school groups. Children and adults have the opportunity to see and experience the Caymanian heritage and culture first hand. The events also offer hands-on interaction with Caymanian Instructors doing arts, traditional crafts, games, cooking, marine demonstrations and Silver Thatch rope making. CTA also offers courses and educational presentations upon request.

Visit us on Cayman Street for our Traditional Caymanian heritage demonstrations that include:

• Cassava Cake making & tasting!
• Making traditional candy: Almond, Coconut & Peppermint
• Cooking over a caboose
• Using a Washboard
• Using a mortar
• Making waddle and daub
• Plantain Trash pillow making
• Painting (with a traditional brush)
• Thatch twisting, plaiting and sewing
• Making Rosemary & thatch brooms
• Traditional kite making
• Calavan Assembly
• Gig spinning
• Playing traditional games: marbles, wary board,
• Making and sailing mini catboats & coconut boats

Past Events & Community Involvement:CTA has offered services throughout the years that have contributed to the development and preservation of Caymanian heritage and culture at events.

Some events include: The 2005 & 2006 Department of Tourism Sea School, The Agriculture Show (2005 and 2006) , Cayfest 2006(featuring CTA's kite making workshops and CTA's ‘Ol Time Family Fair activities), 2005, 2006, 2007 Art@Governors, The Ritz Carton Ambassador's of the Environment program (teaching Caymanian Crafts) and at our own CTA Camps and Workshops since 2004.

Other Upcoming Events include:

February 2008: Art@Govenors (contact 945-8111 for more information)

February 2008: Agricultural Fair

April 2008: CayFest (contact 949-5477 for more information)

Summer Camp 2008:

This Summer CTA will offer a world-class Children's Day Camp that will feature an extensive art programme, under the instruction of local artist Chris Christian. To register contact 946-0117 or email cta@weststartv.com.

Hands-on Interaction: Children experience educational demonstrations where they can interact with Caymanians, and artefacts and learn about the craft at each stage of its making. CTA provides them with the opportunity to make and take a traditional craft, or try out some of the traditional activities.

"Developing New Friendships"

Arts: Local artist Chris Christian, who is the Program Director and Instructor at the camp, teaches children about the different elements of art; lighting, working with a living object, composition, and how to use the materials.

Local Artist's and Crafts-people: CTA is committed to promoting local arts and crafts, and accomplishes this by not only educating children of the local arts & crafts, but by allowing them to meet and work with professional artists and crafts people from our Art Community .

Some of the Guest Artists who have contributed include: Al Ebanks, Aston Ebanks, John Broad and David Bridgeman . Some of the Local Culinary and Crafts people include: Carmen Connolly, Deal Ebanks, and Rose Myles.

Presentations: Some of the other cultural activities to which the children gain exposure, include Story telling, and various presentations from the National Trust, Department of Environment, Turtle Farm, Catboat Association, Pirate's Week committee and Batabano.

"Traditional Catboat Rides"

Heritage Activities: Children learn about the traditions that make up Caymanian Heritage including crafts, cooking, demonstrations and presentations by Caymanians from the community and local organizations.

CTA...The Inspiration:

Cayman Traditional Arts was inspired by Christopher Christian's grandmother, the late Mrs. Ellen Powery. Christopher (an accomplished native artist) and Trina Christian, founders of C.T.A., have taken the traditions that were once a way of life to Caymanians, and organized classes for these trades and teachings to be passed on. As parents, The Christian's wanted their child to be knowledgeable and to enjoy some of Cayman's traditional arts, crafts and culture. This started out with visitors from their Guest House tasting and learning how to prepare local dishes and progressed to include requests from residents and tourists wanting to learn more about Caymanian culture. Due to Christopher's passion and love for Cayman and Trina's organizational skills, structured classes were formed. Classes were and still are taught by Cayman's best native tradespersons. From these classes, CTA evolved into what is now, an organization offering the public and private sector a true taste of authentic Caymanian heritage for any occasion.