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In Pictures: Sculptors in Galveston find beauty in wake of nature’s wrath
By Tom Adkinson
April 19, 2024
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GALVESTON, Texas – “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” is the optimist’s mentality. In Galveston, that phrase became, “When a hurricane kills your beautiful trees, find some beauty in the wreckage.” It was 2008 when Hurricane Ike rolled over this island community, ultimately killing 40,000 trees. Amid the chaos, modern-day Michelangelos with chainsaws and chisels saw sculpture projects. Some of the mighty oaks became alligators, herons, pelicans, a geisha, a toad and other figures. They are in various locations around town, but a concentration in the East End Historic District led to a tree sculpture tour. You can enjoy it on foot, by bicycle or from behind the wheel. However, strolling through quiet residential streets and discovering these works of art one by one is the way to go. Some are gray and aged, while some are polished and maintained. All are testaments to creativity and resilience.
Gators and a pelican
Wouldn’t it be great to give directions to your house that included the comment, “You can’t miss it. I have two alligators and a pelican in my front yard.” Image by Tom Adkinson
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A heron ballet
Two intricately carved crested herons adorn the front of this historic home on Ball Street, looking almost like ballet dancers striking a pose. Image by Tom Adkinson
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The Geisha
This tree sculpture indicates the homeowners’ love of Japan. She is facing west, the direction she would need to travel from Galveston to reach Japan. Image by Tom Adkinson
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A bench with a squeeze
The base of one massive oak was big enough to create a front yard bench where two slender people could squeeze in between scallop shells. Image by Tom Adkinson
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A golden toad
A coat of gold paint makes this toad sculpture difficult to overlook as you stroll through the East End Historic District. Image by Tom Adkinson
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Peace, brother
While some sculptors saw animals or human figures in the devastated tree trunks, one saw a sign of peace. Image by Tom Adkinson
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A grim reminder
The stump of a once-towering oak exists as a reminder of the leafy canopy that Hurricane Ike stripped from Galveston. Image by Tom Adkinson
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Trip-planning resources: VisitGalveston.com and GalvestonIslandTreeConservancy.org
(Travel writer Tom Adkinson’s book, 100 Things To Do in Nashville Before You Die, is available on Amazon.com. |
