Children will be helping to keep tradition alive when they join in the Caymanian Kite Making workshop that is being held this weekend. Children ages 7-10 are invited to join Chris Christian for this one off class to be held at Heliconia on Market Street, Camana Bay on Saturday February 4.

A passionate supporter of Cayman’s art scene, both traditional and contemporary, and Art Director/Curator at the Gallery, Ritz-Carlton, Chris is sharing his know-how of this particular element of Caymanian heritage with Cayman kids.

He will be showing youngsters how these kites are made using brown paper bags, bamboo sticks, fishing line and fabric for the tail. The traditional Caymanian kites were known as ‘singing kites’, he says, due to the loud humming noise they emitted thanks to a part on them called a ‘singer’.

“I learned how to make the kites from my cousins. As a child we would go out into the fields and see who could make their kite sing the loudest,” he says.

Indeed, making the kite is only the beginning. The real art comes in flying one’s kite properly says Chris, keeping it airborne, performing loops and more. There are still a dozen or so people in West Bay, he says, who get together and have kite-flying competitions. He is looking into giving a kite flying demonstration following the workshop.

This is a free event and spaces are limited so registration is recommended.

For more information, contact Karie Bounds at karie.bounds@camanabay.com. Saturday 4 February, 3pm-4pm, Heliconia on Market Street, across from Frosted Robin