Family Donates Paintings to CNCF

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) is pleased to announce a significant donation by a family with close ties to the Cayman Islands.

The donated artworks are two mixed media images by Miss Gladwyn K. "Lassie" Bush and a watercolour painting by US artist and long-time visitor Mrs. Betty Wood. The Miss Lassie paintings were gifts by the South Sound artist to Mrs Wood, then later regifted to her daughter Mrs. Sarah Louise Wood Ham.

This is My Beloved Son, Hear Ye Him, and A Little Child Shall Lead Them by Miss Lassie, and Cayman Cottage by the US artist are now part of the National Collection, held in trust by both CNCF and the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands.

Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage, Hon. Bernie Bush attended a recent reception for the artwork and said: "This generous donation by the Wood family now makes five Miss Lassie paintings that have 'come home' in the last year. To see great art return to the place it was created is very gratifying."

Both artists' paintings reflect their interests and lived experience on Grand Cayman, and knowing they were also friends, makes it even more special," he noted.

CNCF's Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Natalie Urquhart said: "We are extremely grateful to Sarah Wood Ham and her family for her generous donation of the Miss Lassie's paintings, which recently arrived from her home in New Orleans.

It was important to the family that these paintings be returned to the Island for the Cayman community, and we are honoured to have helped repatriate them."

"We are also delighted to partner with the National Gallery to showcase both works, along with a beautiful watercolour by artist Betty Wood. All three artworks are now on display in the National Gallery's upper exhibition hall."