Cayman Quilters

Following a suggestion from Monica Gore, wife of former Governor Michael Gore, the Cayman Quilters is an artistic collective dedicated to preserving Cayman’s quilting tradition. The group has met weekly in members’ homes since it was formed in1993. Past and present members of the group include Debbie Calder, Maureen Collins, Carmen Connolly, Lucinda Cruikshank, Geraldine Duckworth, Doreen Gray, Marilyn Henrion, Glenys James, Sandra Joseph, Julia Kandiah, Pam de Lisser, Judy Massie, Meg Paterson, Suzanne Smith, Jilly Stone, Val Strang, Sybil Watler, and Jill Wood. Their work is held in the collections of the Cayman Islands National Museum and the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, and in 2016, was featured in Art of the Cayman Islands publication (Scala).

This hand-stitched wall-hanging by the Cayman Quilters illustrates the chronological story of the Cayman Islands through individual vignettes; each square created by a different member of the group. From early settlement and developments such as the maritime industry to natural disasters and modernisation, each panel represents a personal interpretation of key events in Cayman’s history. As a collective artwork, the quilt is both a tribute and a memory bank, working to preserve a blend of collective memories and history through craft, care, and collaboration. This work exemplifies the power that community plays in understanding and preserving culture and heritage.

Biography adapted from National Gallery of the Cayman Islands website: (https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/artist/cayman-quilters/ )