If all the gift giving, reckless spending and over indulgence that goes on at Christmas leaves you feeling a little guilty, knowing that there are so many less fortunate people struggling through another festive season, the Cayman Watercolours Calendar might go some way to easing your conscience.
Thanks to two enterprising and talented humanitarians, we can now all keep on giving, while giving back at the same time. Sisters Julia Hydes and Annette Zalewski have pooled their talents to produce Cayman Watercolours, a beautiful calendar for 2012 featuring 13 paintings of Cayman scenes.
Annette, who is not a resident of the Islands but visits frequently, painted all 13 of the watercolours included in the calendar. Julia in turn secured sponsorship from The Charitable Contributions Committee at Greenlight Reinsurance, which covered their costs of producing the calendar, enabling them to donate 100 per cent of the proceeds to Cayman Hospice Care, an organisation that has long been supported by Greenlight Reinsurance.
Greenlight Reinsurance also provided funds for a launch party in June this year, which was held at Luca. All of the original paintings were auctioned at the event, enabling the sisters to raise $11,000 for Cayman Hospice Care before the calendar even went on sale.
Julia, who previously lived in Bermuda, had seen similar calendars there but wanted to do something to benefit people in need. Annette, who is a cancer survivor, volunteered her artistic talents, even though she is not a Cayman resident, and painted all of the pictures specifically for the calendar. She is already hard at work on the collection for the 2013 calendar.
In addition to the 13 paintings, which feature all three Islands, for each month a typically Caymanian recipe is included, and major holidays and events are marked on the calendar. On the back of the calendar is a blank plate where you can write your own personal message.
It’s a win-win gift: your friends and family receive a present they will keep all year, filling their homes with a little Caribbean colour, and a worthwhile charity benefits directly at the same time. And at only $15 apiece you can treat yourself to one as well! WH
Calendars
can be purchased at:
Cayman Hospice Care
Kennedy Gallery
All Red Sail Sports stores
Books & Books
National Trust
Or via
caymanwatercolourscalendar.com