Cayman Art Week (CAW26) has concluded its most successful edition to date, with record numbers turning out across all three islands for a six-day programme of free exhibitions, artist talks, studio visits and special events. The week ran from Tuesday 26 to Sunday 31 May 2026.
Cayman Art Week’s official opening on Wednesday 27 May with lead partner the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands drew 500 guests — the largest opening night crowd in the gallery’s history. The evening brought together collectors, artists, gallerists and the broader community, with Parliamentary Secretary for Culture and Heritage the Hon. Julie Hunter addressing guests on behalf of culture partner the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Artist Randy Chollette, whose work features in a major exhibition at the National Gallery, performed a live drumming set.
A flagship feature of Cayman Art Week, the free hop-on hop-off bus network saw high take-up throughout the week, connecting visitors to venues along the Seven Mile Beach corridor, through George Town and Industrial Park, and across South Sound, Savannah, Bodden Town and the East End. A dedicated bus tour also served Cayman Brac for the first time. Supporting partner Flow provided free Wi-Fi on all services, making it easier for passengers to navigate the programme on the go.
Early reports from participating galleries, studios and pop-up exhibitions point to a strong week for art sales. Stimulating the commercial art market is a core mission for Cayman Art Week, which began six years ago in response to lockdowns during the pandemic when many artists were struggling.
Cayman Art Week founder and creative director Natalie Urquhart said, “The goal for Cayman Art Week was to build something that genuinely moved the needle for artists, driving more visibility and sales, and to keep collectors coming back for more. CAW26 delivered on that and created an energy that was inspiring for all to see. Artists are selling, new collectors are discovering work they love, and the creative community is more vibrant and exciting than ever.”
Across the six days, CAW26 delivered more than 50 events including curator-led tours, panel discussions, artist talks and one-off creative collaborations. Highlights included the opening of Next Wave: Emerging Voices in Cayman Art at the National Gallery — a showcase of work by young local artists aged 16 to 20 – and a record 32 pop-up exhibitions. On Cayman Brac, Gordon Solomon’s new exhibition and an interactive workshop at Eldemire House drew visitors to the sister island, while the Seahorse Boutique and Gallery offered a creative waypoint in Little Cayman.
Cayman Art Week is made possible with the support of CAW Patron Mrs Susan A. Olde OBE; lead partner the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands; culture partners Kimpton Seafire Resort+Spa, Hotel Indigo and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism; and supporting partners George Town Revitalisation, Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure, Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage, Camana Bay, Compass Media, Flow and Cricket Square.
“I would like to thank all our partners, the artists and venues, the volunteers and the CAW committee who make Cayman Art Week possible, as well as everyone who came out to attend Cayman Art Week events this year. We hope to see you all again next year for CAW27,” said Urquhart.