CULTURE CLASH
a venue for Galveston’s free thinkers
SHARON OLSON LMT
WHY MOVE TO GALVESTON WHY MOVE TO GALVESTON
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:
In 2023, I lost my soul dog, Chubbs. For 14 years, he was my constant companion, moving with me through cities and even across the country—from Texas to New York. After his death, I felt adrift, uncertain about what came next. But after some soul searching, my husband and I made a bold decision: we sold everything and began RVing across the United States. Eventually, we landed in Galveston. After years of family vacations here, creating countless memories, we knew this island would be our “home base.”
If you’re a BOI (Born on the Island) or an IBC (Island by Choice), there’s something deeply meaningful about being here. Galveston has a unique magic. The warm, welcoming community, the soothing surf and sand, the quirks of the island itself—it all pulls you in.
I once heard a story about a troll under the causeway who ties a string to your heart on your first visit and, one day, pulls you back. I’m happy to say that Galveston has captured mine, and I’ve met so many incredible people along the way.
This issue is especially close to my heart, and I hope it resonates with you. Got something to say? Reach out to us at info@cultureclashgalveston. com or DM us on Instagram or Facebook
- Jessica Safavimehr
ON THE COVER: "Lofi Galveston” by Janese Maricelli is the artist's depiction of the feeling of comfy, cozy vibes Galveston radiates. As an IBC for 15 years, Janese relishes in the chill and relaxed atmosphere the island provides for simply existing.
Be a Better Human
Galveston is a unique place where people from all walks of life come for different reasons, and each person has their own story to tell. What’s truly captivating about these stories is the common theme of self-reinvention and perseverance.
WHY I STAYED: FINDING COMMUNITY IN GALVESTON
Article and
Photos
By Honi Alexander
I moved to Galveston in 2015 for one reason—to take care of my mother. At the time, I had no deep connection to the island, no childhood memories of summers on the beach, and no family roots here. It was simply where I needed to be. And then, life happened. My father’s health also declined, so I stayed.
At the time, I was a real estate agent but knew no one and sought community, so I started volunteering in 2017, becoming a Deputy Voter Registrar. Soon after, I volunteered with the Young Gardeners Program (YGP) at Rosenberg Elementary, and at Freedom School through Nia Cultural Center while still selling real estate.
Then 2020 changed everything. My mother, already battling ALS and Sjögren’s Syndrome, could only blink and partially smile. My father, suffering from COPD and heart failure, worsened. By August, doctors said there was nothing more they could do. I became their fulltime caregiver, turning our living room into a hospital and sleeping on a loveseat at their feet.
On the rare moments when a caregiver came, I’d escape to the secluded beaches on the West End, dig my toes in the sand, crunch seashells, and visualize better days. The ocean was my breath of relief, my solace between the weight of caretaking and the inevitable heartbreak. On October 27, 2020, my father passed. Three days later, on October 30, my mother followed.
After they passed, the ocean remained my comfort. I have walked the beach and cried, bawled so hard I’d fall to my knees at the water’s edge, releasing the pain of loss, embracing the comfort of forever, and envisioning the possibility of a life still filled with happiness, love, and joy. The school gardens had shut down, but we continued growing food for the families of our young gardeners. After my parents passed, I spent hours at the LA Morgan garden, crying, praying, and planting. That garden saved me. It gave me clarity and a space to piece myself back together.
BE A BETTER HUMAN
Somehow, through all that grief, I found my way back to myself. I threw myself into work. I became the full-time Program Director of YGP at Galveston’s Own Farmers Market, attended community events, joined the NAACP, and built a life here. I worked out on the beach four to five days a week—because I love the water. I love the people who exercise outdoors, I got to know so many faces whose names I may never learn.
Five years later, I'm more embedded in this community than ever before. I'm the 1st Vice President of the NAACP, on the Vision Galveston board, co-facilitating Mortar Entrepreneurial Academy, and growing my business, Honey Gnomes Best—introducing children to diversity through play and storytelling. I find joy in the gardens with students, watching them dig their hands into the soil and light up with curiosity. I started SEED (Students for Eco-Empowerment & Diversity), a paid high school internship introducing teens to green careers, gardening, and food justice. I graduated from the first Galvanize cohort through the American Leadership Forum and I travel nationally as a speaker and workshop facilitator in the school garden community. And all of this—every single piece of it— happened because I chose to stay in Galveston.
Galveston isn’t just where I live—it’s where I’ve healed, grown, and found my purpose.
I still laugh when I think back to when my parents told me they were retiring here. "Who goes to Galveston to retire?!" I had said, my disbelief practically dripping from my voice. Now, I get it.
It's the sunrise walks on the beach, where the waves carry both memories and new beginnings. It’s the food from Soul Food to street tacos to 5-star seafood. It’s the quiet strength of a city that has rebuilt itself time and again, and the people who pour their hearts into making it better. It’s the deep-rooted history, the vibrant arts, and the kind of conversations that turn strangers into family.
Galveston isn’t just where I live—it’s where I’ve healed, grown, and found my purpose. It’s where I’ve laughed until my stomach hurt, cried until the ocean carried my grief away, and stood back up, ready to give back. It’s home.
This island has a way of wrapping itself around you. Of pulling you in when you least expect it. I rarely leave. Trips into Houston feel like a journey to an entirely different place, enjoyable, but very different.
I didn’t come to Galveston by choice but, I became an Islander by choice.
Voices of the Island
Many young people aspire to move away from their hometown, but what if your hometown is Galveston? Why do people stay and why do they move here? What are the benefits of living on this little slice of Texas? Or are there any benefits? Sara, Jess, and Stormi tell us more.
THE BIG MOVE TO AN ISLAND IN TEXAS
Article and Photos By Sara Beshai
I was once told that your 20s are your decade of decisions.
This has remained a deep mentality and source of comfort when it comes to explaining why life events are the way they are after graduating college. I’m only 25 years old, yet I have made many decisions. One of the largest being my move to Galveston.
I grew up in a suburb of Dallas, known for its ex-football player neighbors and $8 coffee from one-worded action-verb coffee shops. The community I was most intertwined with was my church. I often spent more time in theology and organized religion than with my friends from school. This wasn’t my parent’s decision or peer pressure, I genuinely wanted to learn more about the morality I was born into.
Although I spent most of my time with other likeminded Christians, art was often my escape and method for understanding perspectives outside my circle. Most of these so-called “secular thoughts” and nuances I discovered when talking to other creative students or singing songs with lyrics that weren’t always pointed to a higher being.
My art, and desire to be a part of the design world, expanded when I went to college (Hook ‘Em baby!). Like most college students, I became a part of organizations and community circles full of people who had similar upbringings to mine. This exposed me to thousands of human beings and their backgrounds. One person in particular changed my life – Emma.
Emma joined my non-denominational campus ministry at the time and we quickly became close friends and roommates. Better yet, sisters in Christ!
I had never been in love nor did I know what that feeling felt like, until Emma. She was the complete opposite of me in every attractive and desirable way. She made me feel on top of the world and made me feel at home. Until this point, I had been praying for a gentle, patient, godly man to come into my life and lead me! Emma was nowhere near that, nor was she a man, and I was madly in love.
As you may assume, religion and sexuality are like mixing oil and water. This new discovery changed my entire life’s trajectory. Without trauma dumping, it’s safe to say that I couldn’t have both. I had to pick Emma or the community and moral ideology that was all I had known. Where my community was, my identity was also. By 21, I had made the most difficult decision of my life, to choose a person over my so-called family. And I couldn’t be happier.
Let’s fast forward to 2023. Emma finally got into the school of her dreams, the University of Texas-Medical Branch to become a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
At this point, Emma was my only friend and I knew this would take a toll on our relationship. Why Galveston? My only connection to Galveston was a trip in the 3rd grade with my uncle and being stung by a jellyfish in brown water. I couldn’t imagine doing long-distance but I sure as hell was not moving to an island.
Emma and I were away from each other for a year and a half, making the drive once a month to each other’s homes. It was hard but worth the drive to embrace her. I had a financially fulfilling job as a teacher. In some of my fellow teachers, I made the authentic friends who weren’t tied to an obligation or a spiritual book. I loved what I was doing and I was teaching what I loved.
Being a student in a doctoral program is not for the weak. Emma would often call me crying or stressed out and needing me physically and not just through FaceTime. Although I was making the most money I had ever made in my life, being a teacher – ALSO not for the weak. As a teacher, you work through lunch just to meet 43 deadlines before noon. Imagine giving whatever energy that you have left to your partner through a cellular device. It’s not enough to make a relationship last. We both had an inkling that this long-distance thing wasn’t working out.
What I once thought was a lifeless, underwhelming city has now become the center point of my freedom.
I knew it was coming. I knew I needed to move to Galveston. Not just to be with Emma, but to start fresh. Staying in Austin meant that I couldn’t move on to this next chapter of my life. If I didn’t leave, I’d be prolonging these chains to inauthenticity. It was time to begin again and leave the identity that I held onto for dear life behind.
What I once thought was a lifeless, underwhelming city has now become the center point of my freedom. I get to live with my best friend and allow myself to be loved for who I am today and who I will be tomorrow. I have fallen in love with Galveston despite my previous assumptions. I can leave my home knowing that there will be a new face out there that is interested in whoever Sara is today. I have friends that are forlifers and a job that exceeds my dreams. Home is truly where the heart is and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I think young Sara would be surprised yet in awe of the confident and authentic person she came to be. Galveston is my new beginning, my new chapter, and my home to another 5 years of decisions.
LIVING IN GALVESTON: IS IT WORTH IT?
Living on Galveston Island is a unique experience for the 50,000 residents who call it home. For this piece, Culture Clash editor and IBC (Islander by Choice), Jessica Safavimehr sat down with Stormie King, co-owner of Island Vibe Magazine, a BOI (Born on Island) to talk about what makes the island so special.
Jessica Safavimehr: How was it growing up in Galveston versus being an adult?
Stormie King: It’s very different. I remember places that are no longer here, or have changed. Now, with my daughter, I get to relive those memories. She gets to grow up in the same community I did, and that means a lot to me.
Galveston inspires me. There’s so much hidden local talent, and that’s why I am passionate about showcasing it. I want visitors to see the beauty of the island beyond the beaches.
Years ago, my husband and I would take trips to Galveston with my mom and sisters. My soul dog (now deceased) loved the island. My nephew who passed away from cancer at the age of three also loved the island so there was a special connection to this place.
When we were living in New York, a lot of stuff happened in our lives. We lost our soul dog, I got laid off from a big publishing house and we were kind of lost. After some soul searching we decided to sell everything, buy an RV and travel the US. We knew we needed a home base and the place that felt special and safe to us was Galveston. Galveston was almost like an escape for us, a place to get away from everything that happened in our lives. Now we call it home.
It's so interesting to me because there are so many people with a similar story to mine. A life adventure where a whole bunch of stuff happens, and they were ready to move to Galveston.
My husband and I have been able to, like you said, make ourselves part of the community here, and that's one thing that I really value. I feel like New York is really big, and we had a couple of friends, but it's kind of a lonely place. Everywhere else I've been just doesn't have the same vibe or community that Galveston has.
Photos by Jess Safavimehr
Galveston is definitely laid-back, and we embrace that lifestyle. People here are relaxed, living on “Island Time.”
As a BOI, what misconceptions do you hear about Galveston, and how do you address them?
A lot of people think it’s dirty or that it’s just about the port. But the island is so much more. It’s a place full of diverse cultures, art, food, and history. I encourage people to explore beyond the beaches, take in the murals, and discover the community.
What are some hidden gems on the island?
The coffee shops and donut spots are treasures. I love discovering local businesses that many don’t know about. One under appreciated event is the Galveston International Festival, which celebrates the island’s diverse cultures. It’s a great way to experience the community.
The art scene here is massive, especially in The Strand and Postoffice District. It’s a vibrant creative hub that encourages me to be more inspired.
Absolutely. The art scene here helps the uninspired find their creativity. I love attending ArtWalk and seeing how people connect with their art. It’s a wonderful experience.
Let’s talk about Island Vibe Magazine. How did it get started?
I met my business partner at my last job, and we instantly clicked. She wanted to start a magazine, and we dove in. We’re both designers, so we handle everything ourselves. Our mission is to showcase local talent and businesses while also informing tourists about what the island has to offer.
What’s been your favorite business featured so far?
It’s hard to choose, but one that stands out is Yesenia, a local nail technician. I discovered her on Facebook, and her work is amazing. Artists come in many forms, from makeup to nails, and beyond. Yesenia is incredibly talented.
I totally agree. I’ve worked in editorial and had been freelancing when we moved here. By a twist of fate, I connected with Culture Clash Magazine, which covers arts, entertainment, and local issues. It’s been a perfect fit. I feel lucky to work with a small, tight-knit team, which has been a refreshing change from corporate life.
Photos by Stormie King
How has moving from New York to Galveston changed your approach to creating magazines?
It’s been liberating. I’ve worked for big companies before, and now, I prefer working in a smaller, more creative environment. I feel much less stress here. When I have a tough day, I can just go to the beach or engage with the local creative community, which helps reset my mind.
Galveston is home for me. I want to raise my daughter here and continue creating memories. It’s a great place to raise a
Do you have advice for people thinking of moving to
Be open-minded. There’s so much opportunity here. It’s a place where anything can happen, and relationships are key. Get to know the community, understand their stories, and connect with local businesses.
My favorite feature we’ve worked on so is the Community issue. We featured local industries and businesses and got to share the stories of why people started them. I also worked with Ball High School on an essay contest about living in Galveston. Hearing from the students was inspiring—it gave me a new perspective on
That’s amazing. It’s so important to highlight the voices of the community, especially the
Absolutely. After just a year here, I couldn’t be happier. Galveston has truly become home for
I’m so glad to hear that. I feel the same way about the island. It’s a place where creativity thrives, and
GIFT OF THE GODS GALVESTON:
BY VICTOR VISER
*A preface: In the time I have left on this tiny planet, there will be no instance where I ever refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Not even a wild horde of vicious cartographers could drag me away to recognize it as such. Thus, I will only be using the former to reference that vast ocean basin that has been so named for nearly 500 years and located just yonder over the Seawall.
I’m one lucky guy. My wife and I live in a wonderful home on a small barrier island called Galveston, located in the (ahem) Gulf of Mexico, and I commute seven minutes to my work as a professor on another, even smaller, island called Pelican. I’m actually surrounded by the sea, and pelicans, all day long. Most Galvestonians are like me. Whether born on the island or born elsewhere, we have made a conscious choice to stay or move here, to live here, and probably to die here. There’s something in the air and water about Galveston that drives a common need we have to live in a coastal environment. We are, at our core, thalassophiles.
Yes, it’s true; we’re all a bunch of thalassophiles. Lovers of the sea that is, intimately connected to its breezes, its aromas, its rhythms, its sights. When the leaves fall from the Island’s trees in winter, we’re heartened by the resounding chorus of crashing surf, its acoustics no longer impeded by thick foliage. Summer tourists never get that – it’s a gift of the gods for those of us who (really) homestead here. Indeed, thalassophiles get their moniker from the ancient Greek sea-divinity, Thalassa, the mythological goddess and spirit of the sea. With her seaweed toga and crab-claw horns, she wasn’t much of a looker. But, the human reverence for the seas in the ancient world made its way through the millennia to today, where we have even borrowed Thalassa’s nickname – Mare – in mapping the maria of the moon. Think Mare Tranquillitatis, the Sea of Tranquility.
Though I grew up as a toddler for a few years at the corner of 17th and Sealy, in the Trube Castle when once-upon-a-time it was converted into apartments, it wasn’t until our own kids headed off to college that the wife and I decided to move back here the year after Ike struck. That’s right – after Ike. As we searched for a house, hurricane debris was mountainous on Seawall Boulevard and one of the Flagship Hotel’s absurdly burlesque mermaids was still decapitated. But, there was the sea. She drew us in like a hummingbird to jasmine. At the time, there was no work here for me – my clients were 100 minutes away (on a good day) in The Woodlands, Texas. To us, though, that mere triviality was of no concern. Once we came to Galveston that was it. Rather than BOIs, we were BATs – Born Again Thalassophiles. I commuted five days a week for exactly one year before getting my local business robust enough to stay put on the Island every day.
However, Galvestonians are not unique in their love of coastal environs. According to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, coastal land areas only account for 10% of the total land area in the contiguous states, but contain 40% of the country’s population. When put on a global scale, 28% of our 8 billion fellow Earthlings (roughly 2.25 billion of us) live immediately adjacent to or near ocean shores. It’s no wonder why the bidding for those Galveston beach-chair concessions is so competitive (wink wink, nudge nudge).
To be sure, Galveston’s economy is not very good for Galvestonians. Well-paying non-service industry jobs are hard to come by, artificially high prices put home ownership out of the reach of young families (unfortunately including teachers and first responders), and no one moves to Galveston because it has a good government. So, what is the draw that drives an intrepid few to take that one giant leap and escape the chaotic world on the continent, to find themselves on our Insula Tranquillitatis here in the Gulf of Mexico?
There can be no mistaking that it is the inescapable presence of the sea and its shore that continually captures our hearts. Indeed, think of our elation when Galvestonians are occasionally gifted by gods with “blue water” days. But, Galveston is the sum of its parts, and those parts include much more than that Gulf that awes us.
Continentals (that’s what I call folks who live on the mainland) often tell me how unusual it is to be constantly greeted with smiles when passing
strangers in the city. And, the taking back of our beaches between Thanksgiving and Spring Break, when they are at their most cool and tranquil, is something of a reward for the friendship we extend to our tourists the remainder of the year. The air is much cleaner here, the artistic vibe and culture is invigorating (though we need much more live music), and we grow close to the neighbors on our blocks in a way continental suburbanites never do. These are just some of the parts that in sum uniquely make Galveston an appealing place to live.
However, the one thing that sets Galveston apart from the mainland is probably the most overlooked attribute of all. It’s not in the cobbled historic avenues of the city, nor is it in the relative isolation we have from the chaotic world. It’s not even on its beaches or in the sea. The reason I find myself in love with Galveston day in and day out is, surprisingly, what happens above me at night when I tilt my neck up to the evening’s celestial show in the sky. There, with no cover charge or admission fee, is the grand parade of stars that shine so very brightly here.
THE NIGHT SKY OF GALVESTON IS THE BROTHER TO ITS SISTER SEA, AND IT’S A RELATIONSHIP OUR CONTINENTAL CITY FRIENDS SACRIFICE BY LIVING WITH SO MUCH DAMNED LIGHT.
Particularly on moonless nights, I will often park at the west end of the Seawall where, as I gaze patiently long enough, the breadth of the Milky Way illuminates the heavens. And, who has not traveled out to the east end pocket parks to experience the nighttime storm skies on the distant Gulf horizon as they explode titanium white with Zeus’s lightning bolts? The night sky of Galveston is the brother to its sister sea, and it’s a relationship our continental city friends sacrifice by living with so much damned light.
Thalassa, Zeus, Insula Tranquillitatis. Heck, I guess the gods did know what they were doing when they put this beautiful little piece of sand here in the Gulf of Mexico. Shhh. Come to think of it, let’s keep the lights dimmed and not tell anyone else.
THE ART OF REINVENTION
Galveston is a place where many artists find themselves, could it be because of its beaches, its linear path to the pyramids of Egypt or some other mythical force. We spoke to a few Galveston transplants, that also happen to be artists, to better understand why they came to the island and how it has affected their work.
My name is Austin Gaston, I'm a Texas singer/songwriter who officially moved to Galveston in 2021. I started songwriting in high school and have pursued a career in music ever since. Living in the Bryan/College Station area for years after graduation, I would perform on the open mic circuits trying to perfect my craft. Gaining the confidence I needed, I continued to be a featured solo artist to numerous acts, productions, and festivals across the state. Needing a change of pace, my family, with all their support, helped me move to the island hoping I could make a difference out here.
Galveston is truly one of a kind, a special place with a close local community and spectacular art made by talented artists. Ever since moving, I feel loved, respected, and a part of something I always wanted. I am honored to entertain this island with what I have created over the years. This island has shaped me into the musician I am today, the architecture, food, bars, and the people here make my world, I wouldn’t have it any other way. @gastoni176
AUSTIN GASTON
SHELLEY BRANT
I am Shelley Brant, owner of The Art Place. Being from Dallas, any time that I wanted a mini vacation beach getaway, I came to Galveston. Because I can work remotely as a product designer, I concluded that living where you vacation was the greatest idea. The people, the culture, and the art scene made Galveston the perfect spot for me.
I make products and surface patterns for seasonal decor, gifts, party supplies, and kids toys and crafts sold at mass market retailers like Walmart. Besides being a professional designer, I am also an avid crafter and hobby painter. I got tired of driving 30 miles to Hobby Lobby for supplies and after a couple of months living on the island decided to open an art supply store on the second floor of the Hutchings, Sealy & Co building on the Strand. I carry a full line of products for beginners to professional artists and if I don't have it – I can get it for you!
I’m Angela Cameron, a makeup artist and hairstylist specializing in weddings, photoshoots, and creative projects. I own Salty Skin + Hair and just launched a new platform for couples planning their wedding here on the island, MarriedOnIsland.com.
ANGELA CAMERON
I moved to Galveston in the summer of 2019 after years of living and working in Houston, and on both of our nation’s coasts. As a Houston native, I love the southern charm of South Texas, but it was Galveston’s laid-back vibe, vibrant community, and connection to the ocean that called me home. My husband and I met surfing near Pleasure Pier, and now we live just a few blocks away.
Living here has completely shaped my artistry. I can work weddings every weekend and draw inspiration from the coastal beauty and the island’s eclectic energy. The warm, supportive community allowed me to rebuild my business after COVID, and I’ve embraced a more natural, stress-free approach to both beauty and life. Galveston has taught me the importance of slowing down and being fully present in my art and relationships with clients.
@galvestonartscenter
MEGAN HJORTH
I am Megan Hjorth, and I am the Director of Education at the Galveston Arts Center. A decade ago, my young family vacationed in Houston, TX. "Look! Space Suit Engineers are artists designing clothing for astronauts. Did you see the blueprint over there? An artist worked on that." These are the things I pointed out to my daughter, hoping to show her all the careers that use art as a complement to their profession. After the fourth or fifth time I did this, my daughter, who was entering Kindergarten in just a few short weeks, said to me, "Mom, that's cool and all, but I'm going to be an artist." Now, ten years later, working in Galveston, I am meeting and working with artists every single day, many of them having artmaking as their primary or only career.
When I was young, the guidance was clear: it's neat to be an artist, but don't expect to survive, much less thrive. Art was to be a hobby, something you do on weekends when the chores are done and nothing else needs your attention. But Galveston defies that narrative. Here, artists are business owners, community leaders, and cultural innovators. They create not simply as a career but for the love of the arts and its role in shaping our community. As the Director of Education at the Galveston Arts Center, I have the great privilege of developing art education programs, and hiring working artists as instructors and outreach leaders. Art is woven into Galveston’s atmosphere, enriching its sense of place and possibility. This community has challenged my assumptions. Art doesn’t just exist in the margins; it thrives as a viable career right here in Galveston, Texas.
AMANDA MANCIONE
I have lived here for eight years now, I moved here because of my now ex-husband's job. I left my dreams behind, so he could pursue his career. Then we got divorced and I needed to reinvent
myself. Galveston has a very artistic vibe. I'm a hairdresser, makeup artist, and jewelry maker. I love making people look and feel their best.
This community supports its artists and makes them feel valued. I love seeing my "Beerings" being worn around town. Galveston has completely transformed who I am as an artist, maker, and overall creative person. The support of this community has been exactly what I needed.
My wife and I moved to Galveston in 1996. We'd been renting a weekend place on the Strand, and eventually decided to make it full-time. At the time, I fronted a hardcore rock band, da PlugUglies, we split up and I decided to make a fresh start on the island.
Having taken some drama classes at UH, I decided to audition for a play at the Strand Theatre and got the part! That part was a springboard, and I got cast in more productions making a name for myself. I had the honor of performing at the Balinese Room in a dinner theater show for its last two seasons. Around 2000, I did some indie films shot around Galveston. For a few years now, I've also dabbled in screenwriting, producing, among others, and have brought a few movies to the Island.
Coolture: Arts + Music
Cassandra Lockhart is an islander by choice, she moved to Galveston as part of a personal growth and transformation journey. Her passion for art and community has led her to create a safe space where people can explore the transformational power of art and additional healing therapies.
COOLTURE: FEATURED ARTIST
FEATURED ARTIST: CASSANDRA LOCKART
I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. As a proud mother of eight children, I understand the importance of nurturing, both personal and familial growth. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, a Master’s degree in Counseling, and a PhD in Metaphysical Science equipping me with a unique blend of knowledge and insights to support others on their journey to wellness and self-discovery. I am retired and living my life full and free.
Moving to Galveston with a transformative decision rooted in both personal and artistic growth. In 2021, my husband transitioned and I felt a profound need for healing and renewal. The coastal landscape offered a sanctuary where the rhythmic sounds of the waves were healing. The water became a symbol of my resilience and reminded me that my life had ebbs and flows much like the tides.
Upon my second week in Galveston, I gained employment at Maguire Dent as a recreational aid where I designed and implemented a summer art program to inspire creativity in the local children and youth. This opportunity allowed me to integrate my passion for art with community engagement.
Shortly afterward, I was invited to display my artwork at the NIA Cultural Center on the Strand. These two experiences confirmed my artistic journey, nourished my spirit, and ignited my imagination, allowing me to channel my emotions into my art. Galveston became a place where the interplay of a new beginning, healing, and creativity would allow my story to be seen through the lens of artistic expression.
Galveston's vibrant and culturally rich community, with its art scene, has captivated me. It has not only provided a canvas for my creativity to flourish but also allows me to offer a unique brand of services and merchandise to the local community.
Creative Spaces of Captured Moments is a welcoming environment, where you can explore the transformational power of art and healing therapies. It provides a space that promotes various therapeutic modalities of relaxation and healing and displays artwork from local artists and vendors. It offers on and off-site photography aimed at capturing moments chosen by our clients. Each visit is a transformational experience that celebrates both artistry and wellness.
Margarita Edition
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COOLTURE: PULSE
PULSE
GALVESTON ART WALK
March 8 | 5 PM
Downtown Entertainment District
MARCH - APRIL 2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Enjoy an evening of art, culture, and gallery hopping as local artists showcase their work along The Strand.
Admission: Free
ROSENBERG DAY
March 15 | 10 AM to 4 PM
Rosenberg Library
You’re invited to celebrate everything library on Rosenberg Day all day with activities inside and outside the library grounds.
Admission: Free
HIKE FOR HOPE GALVESTON
March 22 | 9 AM
McGuire Dent Recreation Center
Save Lives and Bring Hope to Those Affected by Suicide
Admission: Free
3RD ANNUAL HATCHLING HUSTLE 5K AND 1 MILE FUN RUN
March 29 | 7 AM
Babe's Beach
Participate in a family-friendly 5k and 1-mile fun run on the beach to raise awareness for local wildlife.
Ticket prices vary
TEST DEPTH: OVERNIGHT GAMING CONVENTION
April 19 & 20 | 4 PM
Galveston Naval Museum
Dive into a weekend of gaming, competitions, and themed events at this overnight convention.
Admission: $90
RAILFEST: MODEL TRAIN RALLY
April 26 & 27 | 10 AM
Galveston Railroad Museum
Celebrate the love of trains with a model train rally and exhibitions at the Galveston Railroad Museum.
Admission: $20
Walk along any of Galveston’s beaches, and you’ll find seashells, driftwood, and perhaps even a message in a bottle. However, you’ll also encounter plastic washed ashore – a stark reminder of the vast amount of trash in our oceans and scattered along the coastline. For local artists Evan McClimans and H.P. Dodge, that plastic is more than just waste; it’s raw material with potential. They are turning this discarded debris into something extraordinary.
COOLTURE: WASHED ASHORE SPONSORED BY:
In partnership with Washed Ashore, the Galveston Park Board has brought an exciting project to the island. Galveston is creating a permanent sculpture made entirely from marine debris found on its shores. This marks the first time Washed Ashore, an Oregon-based non-profit known for turning plastic pollution into art, has expanded outside its home state.
The project isn’t just about creating an art installation; it’s a statement on conservation and a way to unite the community. It’s a tribute to the relationship between Galveston and the Gulf of Mexico.
Evan McClimans, a welder and metalworker with nearly two decades of experience, has created numerous art pieces across Galveston, each with its own story. H.P. Dodge, raised in Galveston by an art teacher, has worked in various mediums including murals, historic restoration, and chalk art. Together, they are leading the charge in designing and building a sculpture that represents the island’s connection to the water, wildlife, and its people. “I’m thrilled to create a piece that not only showcases art but also raises awareness about ocean pollution,” says McClimans.
The process of creating these sculptures begins long before the first piece is welded. Coastal Zone Management and volunteers comb the beaches for plastic waste – bottle caps, tangled nets, lost toys, and more. These materials are cleaned, sorted, and transformed into something beautiful. The goal isn’t just to create eye-catching art; it’s to inspire reflection on waste and its impact on the environment.
“This piece will represent our island and our values,” says Galveston Park Board CEO Kimberly Danesi. “It’s a reminder that we all have a role in protecting our oceans.”
By June 2025, the sculpture will be installed in Galveston as a permanent fixture. In the meantime, visitors can enjoy over 15 Washed Ashore sculptures displayed across the island, offering a preview of what’s to come.
