The 4th Cayman Islands Biennial awarded Joanna Austin and Randy Chollette the Bendel Hydes Award on January 23 for works that each engage with place and memory in very different ways — Austin for her StreetView series along South Church Street, Chollette for Laid in Stone, a stack of painted cement blocks that traces generational growth. The resulting exhibition, titled Archipelago, spread 76 works by 60 artists and collectives across six venues on all three islands. For anyone visiting the Cayman Islands, the Biennial and the larger Cayman Art Week that follows in May offer the most direct path into a creative scene that’s easy to miss if you stick to the beach.
76 artworks by 60 artists and collectives displayed across six venues spanning all three islands.
The Cayman Islands art scene is concentrated into two big moments each year — the Biennial exhibition in early spring and Cayman Art Week at the end of May. If you’re planning a trip, timing your visit around either one unlocks access to studios, artist talks, and curator-led tours that aren’t available the rest of the year. Most events are free, and the hop-on hop-off bus routes make it possible to see a lot in a day without a rental car.
Culture travellers
Weekend visitors
Creative families
The Biennial runs through February 18 with free admission at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. But the art calendar doesn’t stop there. Cayman Art Week 2026 (CAW26) takes over May 26–31, with free exhibitions, artist talks, studio tours, and special events across Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Hop-on hop-off bus services connect venues in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, making it surprisingly easy to cover ground.
Here is a quick-reference overview of what each day of Art Week offers, followed by a deeper look at the Biennial and the key stops you should prioritize.
| Day | Focus Area | Key Venues | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue–Wed, May 26–27 | Cayman Brac kickoff | Eldemire House, Gordon Solomon Studio | Early arrivals, Brac visitors |
| Thu, May 28 | Camana Bay & Seven Mile Beach | National Gallery, Carlos V. Gallery, Signal House | First-timers, bus tour riders |
| Fri, May 29 | George Town & Little Cayman | The Wicket, Seahorse Gallery, Cricket Square | Photography lovers, gallery hoppers |
| Sat, May 30 | Eastern Grand Cayman & Sister Islands | Multiple studios, Brac Heritage House | Curious explorers, families |
| Sun, May 31 | Wind-down | Farmers Market, Gram Bella’s, Hotel Indigo | Families, artist talk attendees |
The Biennial Archipelago — a three-island exhibition
The Biennial is the bedrock event. Co-curated by Davin K. Ebanks and Dr. Joseph L. Underwood, Archipelago examines how individual identity intersects with collective experience during a period of rapid national change. The Bendel Hydes Award — named after a pioneer of Caymanian contemporary art — comes with a monetary prize, an exhibition opportunity at the National Gallery, and acquisition of the winning works for the permanent collection. Iain MacRae took the Bendel Hydes Emerging Artist Award for a painting triptych representing the three Cayman Islands through layered symbolism and visual storytelling. Stefan Langlois received an honorable mention as Emerging Artist Award Runner-Up for Ode to Ten, a sculptural installation on view at Gram Bellas in North Side.
Special commendations went to Nancy Barnard for built heritage work, Andre Jennings for Inner Thoughts, Michael Mothen for Fisherman’s Dream, and Elizabeth Paige Smith for a site-specific installation. The closing event on February 17 at the National Gallery includes a catalogue launch. Admission is free throughout the run.
Cayman Art Week — Tuesday and Wednesday on Cayman Brac
Art Week kicks off Tuesday, May 26, with pre-events on Cayman Brac at the National Trust’s Eldemire House. The evening features local artists’ works plus a silent auction. Wednesday moves to the Gordon Solomon Studio for the official Brac launch event, where Solomon shares a new exhibition called The Fair Weather Project.
That same Wednesday evening, Grand Cayman’s official launch party happens at the National Gallery from 7 to 9 p.m. It’s free but requires an RSVP. Parliamentary secretary for culture and heritage Julie Hunter spoke at the launch, and artist Randy Chollette — whose work was on display at the National Gallery — performed drumming to open the week.
Thursday — the bus tour day
Thursday, May 28, is the most efficient day for a first-time visitor. The hop-on hop-off bus tour runs the Camana Bay and Seven Mile Beach corridor, so you can cover several venues without worrying about parking or directions. A guided walk through the National Gallery’s permanent collection of Cayman art offers context for what you’ll see elsewhere. Events also take place at Enterprise City at Signal House.
The night concludes at Carlos V. Gallery at the Grove, open from 6 p.m. to just before midnight — one of the few late-evening art stops during the week. Plan to end your Thursday there rather than rushing between venues in the dark.
Numerous other venues host artists sharing insights throughout the day. The bus runs frequently enough that you can hop off for an hour at a studio you weren’t planning on and still make the next stop.
Friday — George Town, Industrial Park, and Little Cayman
Friday, May 29, splits its focus between George Town, the Industrial Park area, and Little Cayman. The morning starts with the Open House Coffee Morning at Little Cayman’s Seahorse Boutique and Gallery from 10 a.m. to noon. Back on Grand Cayman, a Curators Tour of Maritime Art in the National Gallery Collection runs at lunchtime.
The Photography Walking Tour with the National Trust on Little Cayman runs from 3 to 6:30 p.m. — a solid option if you want to combine art with the island’s landscape. Meanwhile, at The Wicket in Cricket Square, John Broad’s exhibition Anthology is on view from 4 to 10 p.m.
Frequency of the CAW Central Bus Tour from Cardinall Avenue and Cricket Square on Friday — hop on for a complimentary Aperol Spritz when you board at Cardinall Avenue.
Many galleries open for evening viewing with artists present and offering tours, so Friday night is a good time to meet the makers in person.
Saturday — eastern districts and the Sister Islands
Saturday, May 30, shifts to the eastern districts of Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. The CAW East Bus Tour starts at 9 a.m. from the National Gallery and is curator-led — it visits studios, galleries, and pop-ups in South Sound, Savannah, Bodden Town, Breakers, North Side, and East End. On Cayman Brac, a separate bus tour leaves from the Cayman Brac Heritage House and visits numerous venues and artists.
Events also take place at St. Ignatius Catholic School, the National Gallery with Randy Chollette, Sticks & Stones, Sunset House, and Magenta Studio. The TimeBack exhibition is available at the Cayman Brac Beach Resort for those staying on that island.
Sunday — family fair and winding down
Sunday, May 31, is the most relaxed day. Still Life Drawing runs at the Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to noon — bring a sketchbook or just watch. The Family Fair at Gram Bella’s runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is the most kid-friendly stop of the week. Later, “In conversation with Keri Elain and John Reno Jackson” takes place at Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman from 5 to 6 p.m., and a women artists and guests event wraps up at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa from 6 to 10 p.m.
Most Art Week events are free. Some require RSVPs, and a few ask for payment covering special experiences, food and drink, or art supplies. Check the full schedule at caymanartweek.com before you go so you know which ones need a reservation.
Practical section — getting around and planning your time
The hop-on hop-off bus is the smartest way to see multiple venues, especially on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. On Grand Cayman, the CAW Central Bus Tour on Friday runs from Cardinall Avenue and Cricket Square with stops every 10 to 15 minutes. The East Bus Tour on Saturday is curator-led and starts at the National Gallery at 9 a.m. On Cayman Brac, the bus tour departs from the Cayman Brac Heritage House. Most galleries, studios, and pop-up exhibitions are open weekdays from 10 a.m. for public viewing.
Some events require RSVPs and fill up — especially the National Gallery launch party on Wednesday evening and the smaller studio workshops on Brac. Check the caymanartweek.com listings a week ahead and register for anything that asks for it. Showing up without a reservation to a RSVP-only event means you’ll likely be turned away.
If you’re staying on Seven Mile Beach, you’re well positioned for Thursday’s Camana Bay corridor route. Visitors based on Cayman Brac or Little Cayman should plan around the Tuesday and Wednesday kickoff events, plus Saturday’s Brac bus tour. The Biennial at the National Gallery is a separate visit — it runs through February 18, so it won’t overlap with Art Week in May, but it’s worth its own trip if you’re on island before the closing date.
Before you go — Cayman Art Week and Biennial
Do I need a car to see the art events?
No. The hop-on hop-off bus services on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac cover the main venues. On Grand Cayman, the Central Bus Tour on Friday runs every 10–15 minutes from Cardinall Avenue and Cricket Square. The East Bus Tour on Saturday is curator-led and starts at the National Gallery.
Are the events suitable for children?
Yes, especially Sunday’s Family Fair at Gram Bella’s (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and the Still Life Drawing session at the Farmers Market. The Biennial exhibition at the National Gallery is also free and open to all ages — the variety of media keeps younger visitors engaged for short bursts.
What’s the cost for Art Week?
Most events are free. A few require payment for special experiences, food and drink, or art supplies. The National Gallery launch party on Wednesday is free but requires an RSVP. Check caymanartweek.com for the specific events you plan to attend.
Can I see the Biennial and Art Week on the same trip?
Not in 2026 — the Biennial closes February 18 and Art Week runs May 26–31. But if you’re visiting between February and May, the National Gallery’s permanent collection of Cayman art is open year-round Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission.
An art scene worth timing your trip around
The Cayman Islands art scene has grown from a handful of gallery nights into a structured calendar that spans all three islands, with the Biennial providing the year’s deepest exhibition and Art Week offering the most accessible entry point for visitors. Between the curator-led bus tours, the late-night gallery stops, and the chance to meet artists in their own studios, it’s a scene that rewards a little planning — and one that pairs naturally with the beaches and diving that usually get top billing. If you’re looking for a way to see a different side of the islands, start with the full Cayman Islands itinerary and slot in an Art Week day.
References
Cayman Marl Road. “Cayman’s Art Scene Showcased as Biennial Announces Winners.” Cayman Marl Road, 2026. ↗
Cayman Compass. “Cayman Art Week Offers a Full Immersion into Local Art.” Cayman Compass, 2026. ↗
Cayman Independent. “Cayman Art Week Showcases Islands’ Vibrant Creative Sector.” Cayman Independent, 2026. ↗
For more on where to stay and how to plan your days around the art events, check out the guide to uncrowded Cayman shores for quieter base options, the budget traveler’s guide for cost-saving tips, and the family fun guide if you’re bringing kids along.
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