Christmas lights have been out for more than a month already, so it is probably time to start thinking about what the tree is going to look like this year.
Of course, you could go with a run of the mill set of flashing lights to decorate the tree, but if you want to bring a little bit of Cayman character to Christmas, you can’t do much better than pop into Pure Art.
In spite of what the name may imply, Pure Art is about much more than purely art in the narrow sense of the word. Yes, paintings do adorn the walls, but this is only a small part of the local art represented in the store. Pure Art boasts a large selection of locally made Christmas decorations. These include dried gourds, carved with Cayman images, that become natural Christmas balls and bring a rustic, local flavour to any tree. There are also terracotta Sir Turtle decorations for a bit of fun, or beautiful shell decorations to bring a bit of nautical flavour to your Christmas tree.
Then there are the ornaments adorned with Cayman stamps, or even little driftwood Santas, each as unique as the piece of wood it is fashioned from.
Of course, these decorations also make excellent gifts, but the store has a wide selection of other gifts, starting from as little as $1. From home-made jams and pepper jelly to Caymanite jewellery and of course paintings, the store is certainly worth a visit. The range of gifts available cater for everyone, from children looking for a gift for their favourite teacher to corporate gifts.
Although Pure Art is very popular with tourists, owner Debbie Van Der Bol emphasises that it is ironic how many locals will go overseas and bring back paintings with them without visiting local galleries to support local artist. With the wide selection of local artists represented at Pure Art, it is a great place to start a little local collection of your own, or give a gift this Christmas that truly reflects Cayman.
Even though Pure Art is celebrating its 25 year anniversary, the store is not resting on its laurels. It has recently been expanded to give even more room to display the wide selection of artwork and local crafts, including traditional woven baskets and hats.
So whether you are looking for something small to serve as a stocking stuffer, a special gift for a visiting friend or family member, or a truly memorable Christmas present, Pure Art is well worth a visit this festive season.
Pure Art is located on the corner of South Church Street and Denham Thompson Way. For more information, call 949-9133.