Simone - Pride of Spot Bay

SIMONE - PRIDE OF SPOTBAY.

Born in 1974 to Starrie and Tenson Scott, Simone is a household name on this sister island. She is well respected by the residents especially the young people who see her as an inspiration. She is well known for her love of the Arts and Culture and is having a profound effect in these areas with young people.

Why did you choose the Arts?

A smiling Simone answered, “Actually the Arts chose me. I took a liking to it from small but my ambition was to become a primary school teacher with a specialty in Mathematics but that never worked out and so I am really loving and enjoying what I do now.”

Simone has wealth of work experience. He has designed a variety of treasures for her father’s Native Island Made Things (NIM Things) outlet. She has worked with Divi Tiara hotel, Sister Islands Tourism Association, Customer Service Agent with Cayman Airways, Administrative Assistant at Kirk Office equipment in Grand Cayman. Customer Service agent with Island Air and Sales Clerk with Kirk Freeport on Cayman Brac. With this wealth of experience, she was able to open an additional gallery in 1994 selling her artwork, as well as, boosting sales of NIM Things, her father’s business outlet, by setting up a Facebook page, Blog on wordpress and selling on Etsy.

How did you get involved on a large scale?

“Mrs. Sue Hundt recommended me to Lestie Bigelman of the National Art Gallery. Lestie contacted me in respect of serving on the board which I did with great enthusiasm.” she beamed.

In 1992 she received a government scholarship to study Computer Graphics. She successfully achieved this at Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota Florida. She also graduated in 1990 from Cayman Brac High School with 9 O level passes, as well, Level 1 and 2 first class Pitman Level in Accounts and Typing.

What are your goals for the children of Cayman Brac?

“Presently I volunteer to do Heritage Arts at the schools. Also after school Art classes once per week at the High School. Prior to this it was done at the primaries. My main goal is to help the children develop a love for and pursue the Arts, Crafts and Poetry as enjoyable forms of culture. I have been assisting with CIPF. On the Brac it’s called Brac Autumn Festival. This commenced in 2015 and was a resounding success, so much so that it will be staged again this year 14-15 October. On the 14th is the Cultural Fair at Dan and Lisa’s home and on the 15th there will be the Teen Poetry at the Library and NGA Workshop at the Museum. Events run from 9-11 a.m. We are having about a dozen volunteers from Grand Cayman as well.” Simone is excited about this venture.

How do you spend your spare time?

“I enjoy going down to the seaside and collect things for my dad to use to make his craft items.”

Simone has received various awards for her outstanding work with her most gratifying and treasured being the CNCF Chairman’s Award in 2016. As a community worker Simone has also left an indelible impression. Among others she served as a member of the Visual Arts and Crafts Sub- committee of the National Culture and Heritage Policy and Strategic Plan for the Cayman Islands in 2016 and is the Co- Founder/Organizer of the 2015 Brac Autumn Festival.

Simone has published her own books including My Cayman Art, which sells on bookemon.com and you can get Chit Chat: A collection of Caymanian Photography and Poetry by herself and Alta Bodden Solomon.

She also mounted a variety of exhibitions between 1999 and 2013. These were done on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. In 2007 she received the coveted award of Artist of the Month. She was especially proud of her exhibition, “Summer 101,” held at the Ritz Calton.

My desire is work and volunteer in jobs that utilizes my background and experience in the Arts and Culture of these beloved islands,” she concluded.