Galveston’s trees. Maybe it was the tree that you planted with your father as a child.
Or maybe it was the tree where you stole your first kiss.
Maybe it was the tree that shaded a porch swing on slow southern afternoons.
Or maybe it was the tree that was home to a favorite bird that sang to your neighborhood.
And maybe now, after Hurricane Ike, your tree is gone.
Galveston has been saying a sad goodbye to so many of our trees in the last year.
Many of the island’s majestic oaks that once graced neighborhood streets and thoroughfares succumbed to Ike’s power and fury.
On Sept. 13, 2008, Ike covered most of the island in a tidal surge.
The damaging combination of powerful wind and waves immediately uprooted many trees, but ultimately the salty storm waters led to the demise of thousands of others.
As a community, we grieve for what was and we dream of what is to become.
The loss of our trees still is felt today and has inspired local and regional artists to reveal beauty from our disaster. At Saturday’s Artwalk, The Grand 1894 Opera House will have an exhibit showcasing art pieces created from trees killed by Hurricane Ike.
These pieces, in a variety of artistic mediums, tell the story of Galveston’s trees.
The Gulf Coast Woodturners Association will present vessels, bowls and artwork created from Galveston’s lost trees. Selected works by The Gulf Coast Woodturners Association will be available for purchase through a silent auction.
Auction proceeds will benefit Galveston’s tree replanting efforts.
Additional works celebrating trees will be on exhibit as well. Featured artists include Arthur Turner, Odette Rubin, Antje Rietsch, Lee Cohen, Tangerine Williams, Keith Hollingsworth and Janet Hassinger.
A portion of sales proceeds from all works will be donated to the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy.
Rachael Stegall’s poster “The Soul of a Tree” also will be on display and available for purchase.
A collage of 36 photos of Galveston’s tree trunks, 50 percent of sales proceeds will be donated to the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy.
Alicia Cahill is public information officer for the city of Galveston.
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Visit The Exhibit
The show can be seen from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston.
