By CARA HUNT
cbrennen@tribunemedia.net
When 10-year-old Naima Nixon picked up a pair of discarded flip flops off the beach in Exuma, she found a way to do more than clean up her surroundings - she found a new and unique canvas to paint her world.
"I was walking on the beach about three years ago when I saw a lot of flip flops just laying around and I just wondered if there was anything that I could do them instead of just throwing them away and the idea came to me that I could paint them, the now 12-year-old told Tribune Woman.
"I painted one of them and it looked kinda decent and I showed it to my mom who agreed and so we decided that I should make more."
That initial idea has now turned into a lucrative business for the eighth grade student at St Andrew's Anglican School who started the Exuma Flip Flop Recycling Project.
Since that initial flip flop she has been sold dozens of recycled pieces of art made from discarded flip flops she constantly finds on the beach.
"I have been able to find all the flip flops I have used on the beach and I am really glad that I can recycle them and create beautiful works of art while at the same time helping the environment," she said.
Her colourful nature and beach inspired artwork have been sold to eager fans, tourists and locals alike at the Sandpiper Arts and Crafts Boutique in Georgetown.
But Naima is more than a talented artist, she also enjoys singing and writing, and has been a winner in the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival. Additionally, she has displayed her work in local exhibits.
Naima also loves science and hopes to become either a doctor of medicine or dentistry when she grows up.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 9 months ago
These are really nice! Very creative.
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