Summer 101, the newest art exhibit presented in The Gallery at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, showcases 101 different pieces of artwork produced by local talent.

Brought together by Chris Christian of Cayman Traditional Arts, the exhibit features both established local artists and with newer up-and-coming artists. The exhibit displays both fine art and photography pieces in a variety of different mediums.

The artwork reflects summertime in Cayman through vivid colours, unique textures and familiar subjects. Kerwin Ebanks’ pieces reflect traditional Caymanian settings, such as his piece Sat’day Aft’noon, in which two men are skinning fish on the ironshore.

“Sat’day Aft’noon was first conceived as a drawing in 2003 from sketches in my Life Drawing class at University of Evansville,” said Mr Ebanks. “I began to develop it as an oil painting in late 2006 hoping to capture the memory of the iron shore where Cobalt Coast now stands. I grew up with my family using this site for fishing, setting fishpots, cleaning fish, collecting whelks, sea grape and cocoplums. I was dissatisfied with the composition of the piece so I reattempted it in acrylic and now I feel that I have captured those nostalgic moments.”

The fine artists mostly use acrylic on canvas, mixed media on canvas and oil on canvas. However, the wonderful stained glass artwork of Nancy Davey is also showcased.

Also featured are the unique works of Maureen Lazarus, who used mixed media cut outs of foliage and natural forms on recycled paper on canvas, as well as monoprints by Megan Compton.

The photography is mostly digital prints on canvas from local photographers, including Courtney Platt, Aaron Rebercheck and Rebecca Davidson, but other mediums include exhibition-quality prints by Allister Clarke, and a print on aluminium by Jim Hellemn. Local favourite Cathy Church brings the underwater world to life with her dive photography. A particularly stunning image of hers in the exhibit is one of a silver gelatine print titled Grotto with One Fish.

“Summer 101 is the latest collection to grace the walls of The Gallery at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, which is proud to showcase the talents of new artists who have never exhibited before, as well as more established, favoured artists,” said Mr. Christian, “One hundred and one pieces of fine art and photography to celebrate that summer feeling - come and experience the colour, the textures and the feelings of summer even on one of Cayman’s rainier days.”

Each piece of artwork in the exhibit is for sale, and with The Gallery open 24/7 it offers newer artists an excellent opportunity for exposure.

“We have a lot of talent on our shores and it’s only been in recent years that it is getting some the exposure it needs,” said Simone Scott, who has artwork in the Summer 101 show. “Local artwork should be showcased not only in galleries, but in businesses, banks, hotels, law firms and restaurants. Thankfully, this has become more of a norm nowadays on Grand Cayman, even on Cayman Brac things are changing. This type of support gives the artists needed encouragement.”