On Saturday, 26 September, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage officially opened “A Reba Dilbert Creation” exhibit at the Cayman Collections Centre. The exhibit is a tribute to the life, work and legacy of the late Reba Dilbert. The event was attended by her family, community members, and invited guests.
Reba played an important role in the cultural landscape of the Cayman Islands. She created works of art that depicted Cayman’s beaches, flora, and fauna. Her work is a tangible expression of Caymanian identity, helping to foster pride in who we are as a people.
Preserving her legacy and making her work accessible to future generations was the driving force behind the exhibition. Speaking at the opening, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Isaac Rankine, said the exhibition is also a reminder of the important role cultural icons play in preserving Cayman’s national story.
“Cultural icons like Ms. Reba do more than create things; they help a country remember itself. They remind us of who we are and weh we from. Preserving our heritage is not only about buildings and artefacts, but also about people, stories, traditions and creative expression,” he said.
For more than four decades, Reba was closely connected to some of Cayman’s most important cultural celebrations, including Batabano and Pirates Week. Her elaborate costumes were not only admired locally but also recognized internationally.
Among her many accomplishments, Reba won Best National Costume at both Miss Bikini World in Malta and Miss Tourism World in Turkey in 2002. The following year, she received the Golden Apple Award in Moscow and was recognised as the “World’s Best International Fashion Designer.” In 2021, she was conferred as a Member of the Order of the Cayman Islands for her outstanding contribution to arts and culture.
Her contribution extended beyond the costumes she created. Reba also mentored young women in pageantry, modelling and etiquette and introduced students to the basics of costume making. Through these efforts, she helped to pass on her knowledge and passion for creative expression to younger generations.
The exhibition was developed with the support of Reba’s family, who worked with the Ministry to provide insight into her life and career and help bring the collection together. We are deeply grateful to the family for their support and for helping us honour Reba’s life and legacy in this way.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage remains committed to preserving and promoting Caymanian culture and heritage and recognising the people who have helped shape the country’s cultural identity.
A Reba Dilbert Creation is on display at the Cayman Collections Centre. The Centre is open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. There is currently no end date for the exhibition.
For more information on the Cayman Collections Centre, persons may email YSCH-Heritage@gov.ky.