Fort George Mural "Easter Regatta" - George Town, Cayman Islands
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N 19° 17.807 W 081° 22.986
17Q E 459750 N 2133710
Easter Regatta is the last part of a mural, from a series of three original paintings by John Broad, located on the historic site of Fort George in George Town, Grand Cayman. It depicts a regatta by the beautiful Cayman schooners during the 30s.
Waymark Code: WMV570
Location: Cayman Islands
Date Posted: 02/25/2017
Views: 1
The original purpose of Fort George was to defend Grand Cayman from attacks by Spanish marauders from Cuba. Locals and cruise ship visitors can visit for free the remains of Fort George and get information from the various markers on the site.
When artist John Broad conceived the design for a new mural at historic Fort George in downtown George Town, he wanted viewers to be able to imagine what they would see if they were standing behind the walls of the fort, gazing out to sea during three important episodes in history.
“On the left, we have the Havana militia storming ashore in the 18th century,” Broad says of the first of the three pieces of the mural. “The middle section from World War II contains the U-boat attack on a local ship in which a Caymanian died, and lastly, a … regatta by the beautiful Cayman schooners during the 30s.”
While he was painting the murals, Broad says, it took him back to his childhood, as he was always drawing wars and battles as a youngster.
In addition, the mural itself has an unusual composition. “The technique is a first for Cayman in that the original paintings were photographed and prints developed twice the size of the artwork and attached to the wall on site,”.
Broad believes the murals are a vital source of information to help visitors appreciate the turbulent history of the Cayman Islands.
The sign says:
"Easter Regatta - Nestling between the Arch and McTaggart shipyards to the south of George Town and the Bodden shipyard to the north, Fort George was enjoyed by the community, particularly children, during times of peace. It was also an excellent location from which to view the annual Easter Regattas which often included boats such as the Goldfield, Rembro and Caymania. Commissioner Alan Cardinall, retired chief magistrate Edmund Parsons and Scout Movement enthusiast Colonel Palin Dobson established the Cayman Islands Yacht and Sailing Club to foster seamanship and sailing skills in the community and to promote local shipbuilding skills. In 1935 the Club organised the inaugural Cayman Islands Regatta.
The Scout Movement was started in England in 1907 by veteran Edward Beale in 1917. Cardinall, Parsons and notably Dobson were involved in reviving the local Scouts movement and by 1937 there were two troops of Scouts and two packs of Cubs. Dobson Hall, the venue used by the Scouts and Cubs for their meetings and named for him, was situated immediately north of Forth George.
This mural is from a series of three original paintings by Caymanian artist John Broad commissioned by the National Trust to celebrate the history of Fort George. "Spanish Attack" original 60" X 48", acrylic on canvas, 2012"
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