Give them the gift of art this Christmas

By Lindsey Turnbull

Pure Art in South Sound has been a beacon for art lovers for decades and this year they’ve excelled themselves, with a shop full of artwork and creative gifts that will make the perfect Christmas presents.

If you are visiting Pure Art at this time of year, you will no doubt be heading for the plethora of unique and handmade Christmas decorations that bedeck the shop all year round. But the shop is also packed with original artwork and reproductions by local artists, ceramics, jewellery, hand-painted glassware, kitchen items, candles, interior décor and much more, all making ideal Christmas gifts. The work of well-known local artists infuse the store. Check out the intricate batik work of Shirley Scott, the lovely brushstrokes on glass of artist Kara Julian, and the heartfelt photography of a whole range of iconic local photographers. Then there is Gale Tibbetts who creates spectacular work using resin on wood, John Clark who specialises in vibrantly coloured Cayman scenery, Janice Brown’s popular folk art and featured art by Jan Barwick, Gordon Solomon, Lazarus, and Mark Frazer, to name but a few.

Maria Tom Pack has owned Pure Art since November 2022 and has put her heart and soul into developing the offering at Pure Art to ensure that it’s a brilliant reflection of island life, making it a great spot for tourists to browse as well as residents looking for a gift that is all things “Cayman”.  

“We have something for everyone and for every budget,” Mrs Tom Pack confirmed. “Much of what we offer are handmade, one of a kind, originals, inspired by our love for the Cayman Islands.”

For the festive season, Mrs Tom Pack has concentrated her focus, stocking artwork that features Caymanian buildings, flora and fauna, a real expression of Cayman in art form. Artist Scott Sullivan is new to Pure Art, and he has some incredible oil paintings for sale that beautifully depict iconic locations around the island, such as Miss Lassie’s house, the Cayman Islands National Museum and the wonderful atmospheric, old buildings on Shedden Road. 

Stella Karen Flesch nee Thomlinson is further artist with whom Pure Art has recently collaborated, another Caymanian artist who looks to the island and its environment for her inspiration. Visit Pure Art and marvel at her gorgeous oil paintings that showcase the Cayman Parrot, Seagrape, palms and more.

Christmas hampers crammed full of locally made items are another excellent example of gifts, which also come reasonably priced and easy to create and purchase.

“We are happy to create Christmas hampers for a quick gift that is all ready to go for less than CI$50 or less than CI$60,” Mrs Tom Pack advised. “They include locally made food items such as Cayman Sea Salts, local small batch hot sauces and pepper jelly, with additional items such as mugs, salt cellars, tea infusers, and tea towels.”

A really great gift for the foodie on island.

Shopping at Pure Art means that you are supporting local, small businesses, and at the same time you’ll be buying something unique and special that is a real artistic piece of island life. To ensure that everyone has the chance to pop down for a Christmas shop like no other in Cayman, Pure Art will stay open late in the week leading up to Christmas, 9am - 7pm from 15th December to 24th December.