New Providence, The Bahamas - A new partnership between the country’s oldest real estate firm and one of the country’s premier art galleries will mean a sizeable cash prize and notoriety for a few lucky budding artists. The collaboration is the latest element of HG Christie’s ongoing centennial celebrations.
“The Island of Mine” art competition, will feature submissions from students aged 15 to 21, from August 22 to November 18, 2022. “The theme was really meant to be an ode to the islands and will hopefully allow each artist to share with the country and the world the things they appreciate and cherish most about the island they choose to highlight,” explained HGC President and Managing Broker John Christie.
To be considered, participating artists will be required to submit on either Instagram/Facebook their piece of work and tag both @HGChristie and @CabGalleryandStudio while using the hashtag #HGCIslandofMine. Those works will then be reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of members of both HG Christie and CAB Gallery curators, and the top three entries will present their artwork to the public during a special cocktail party & prize ceremony hosted at the Gallery in November.
Supporting the launch to the media and encouraging the youth of The Bahamas to compete was Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture, the honourable MP Mario Bowleg, who will also be part of the reviewing panel. “This Island of Mine is a fitting theme for this project because it provides the opportunity for talented Bahamians to showcase their ability and celebrate the beauty of our Bahamaland,” said Minister Bowleg. “I want to encourage young artists from across the country to submit their works and tap into the opportunity. I know that you will put forward some exceptional work and I’m looking forward to seeing how each of you will showcase our beautiful country.”
Up for grabs will be a thousand-dollar cash prize for the competition’s first-place winner. The competition’s second place participant will be awarded a limited edition signed Jessica Whittingham print on archival paper valued at five hundred dollars, and the third place participant will receive a private studio session at the CAB Gallery valued at two hundred-fifty dollars.
“Local artists have a wealth of imaginative talent that deserves to be showcased on both the national and international stage” noted Natascha Vasquez, Founder and Curator at CAB Gallery “and so we are so excited to see the amazing submissions that come in as a result of this competition and we’re even more excited about the opportunity to exhibit that work as part of a new curated collection.”
“This competition is really about getting these up-and-coming artists the recognition they deserve on a national scale” Vasquez noted. “For an up-and-coming artist, this is a huge opportunity to reach out to markets that HG Christie reaches all over the world – and let’s see if these works get put in homes purchased here in the islands too!”
After a century of doing business in The Bahamas, HG Christie Real Estate is not only widely regarded for its industry know-how but also for its commitment to supporting and highlighting Bahamian talent, outside the real estate industry. “We are excited to be partnering with the CAB gallery” explained Christie. “We knew we wanted to join forces with a gallery that not only encouraged the use of a wide variety of mediums but whose focus was really on showcasing emerging artists,” he said.
