The Butterfly People in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is seldom that I write about a store – because lets face it, this page is not for shopping but for traveling! This time I am making an exception. This place is so much more than a store. This is a magical place that also happens to be a store.
The Butterfly People in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Calm music with burning incense. Butterflies in different formations. Butterflies in frames that make you think about mandalas or kaleidoscopes. There is a bench inside the store and I could spend all day here – just listening the the soothing music and looking at the artwork. Think how Tinkerbells room might look like. This is it!
Yes all the art is made out of real butterflies. But before you judge and write comments about animal abuse and all things bad know this. Every single butterfly has ended its lifecycle. They are not killed but picked up after death. They are shipped from all over the world and there is no discrimination here. Brown “regular” butterflies are mixed with beautiful colorful ones.
Cirene and Resat, the owners of this store/art gallery are firm with the belief that the butterflies are all equal. Wether small or big, colorful or missing part of its wing – they are all like us! All worthy of becoming art.
“It is about honoring nature and the beauty of nature”, says Cirene. And I get it! Just like that I get it!
The butterflies represent the earth seen from space. Mixed and flawed and beautiful – all at once.
We are not allowed to take pictures inside but there is a wall with some artwork that we can photograph. One thing is for sure – You need to se this place in real life!
Adress: 257 Calle Dr La Cruz, Old San Juan, PR 00901, USA
Website: http://www.butterflypeople.com
Is the business still open?
I am sorry to say but it looks like it is closed.
When you went all those years ago did they still have their restaurant in the beautiful townhouse? In the 1970’s and 80’s it was my favorite place for lunch in Old San Juan. My mom had some of their butterfly art but it was sadly destroyed in a hurricane in the late 1990’s.
Your gallery, several years ago, was one of the highlights or my occasional journeys through Puerto Rico. Several yrs ago, my husband and I stayed at El Convento, and I was able to take him to your beautiful setting to appreciate what you made available. I have one of your beautiful pieces, about 10×10, and it’s a delight every time I look at it.
I am so sorry to learn you’re closed. My husband passed a year ago today, and I was actually contemplating coming back just to walk your streets, enjoy your mojitos, and admire your beautiful works.
Thank you so much for making life just this much more beautiful.
Sorry but we only wrote about it. We where visitors just like you. So sorry for your loss.
Why did they close? Any ideas?
Sorry we have no idea but it was a great place.