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Who doesn’t like turtles? Now, turtle lovers of all ages have the opportunity to see nearly 20 colorful Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle statues that have popped up around the island in 2019.
Turtles About Town is a public art project that showcases the conservation efforts of Turtle Island Restoration Network (claycupstudios.com/turtles-about-town).
Turtle Island Restoration Network, a leading advocate for the world’s oceans and marine wildlife, has partnered with Clay Cup Studios, a local interactive art studio, to bring this project to the island.
Local businesses sponsored the turtles while local artists were commissioned to give each one its own personality and meaning.
When out and about, don’t forget to tag #TurtlesAboutTown!
The following businesses and organizations graciously sponsored the turtles while local artists were commissioned to give each one its own personality and meaning that is representative of Galveston. For more information, visit galveston.com/turtles.
Enjoy your tour and tag images with #TurtlesAboutTown!
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“Alice”
Kempner Park 2704 Avenue O, Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Derek Anderson “I believe you have to give to the island what the island gives to you.”
Sponsor: Alice Taylor Gray Foundation
“ATG Foundation sponsorship is in honor of Ms. Gray’s commitment to improve the lives of children and animals in Galveston.”
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“Cam”
Campeche Cove Animal Clinic 10015 Stewart Rd., Galveston, TX 77554
Artist: Jane Young French “Cam was inspired by sea turtles’ naturally occurring patterns and playfully catching a ride.”
Sponsor: Campeche Cove Animal & Bird Hospital “Fun way to honor the environment we live in and the work that Turtle Island Restoration Network is doing to support the marine environment and sea turtles.”
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“Coral”
Location: 2915 81st Street
Artist: Gabriel Prusmack, Artist “Protecting our ocean is important because it’s covering most of the world where WE live!”
Sponsors: Oppe Elementary PTO, Abel Longoria & Family
“To instill in our children the importance of conservation, preservation and restoration of our coastal environment.”
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“Dorado”
The Bryan Museum
1315 21st St., Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Ray Cosgrove “Sun reflections and a breath of air.”
Sponsor: Bryan Museum
“The Bryan Museum supports the conservation and plight of the sea turtle.”
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“Dr. Tommie Tortuga”
UTMB 712 Texas Ave., Galveston, TX 77555
Artist: Sabrina Stachowski “Being part of this project puts a smile on my face unlike any other.”
Sponsor: UTMB ”
Dr. Tommie Tortuga is a colorful reminder not only of our mission to improve health but also of the Gulf Coast region UTMB Health calls home.”
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“Flora”
Strand Brass & Surf Styles 2115 Strand St, Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Kathryn Zimmerman “Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle body surfing along a vibrant current of native island flora.”
Sponsor: Strand Brass, Christmas on the Strand and Surf Styles
“Surf Styles and Strand Brass love the idea of bringing art to The Strand with the ‘Turtles about Town Tour,’ raising awareness for the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle was an amazing avenue to get that done!”
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“Homer”
Crockett Park Baseball Complex 2601 53rd St., Galveston TX 77551
Artist: Shaifer Golan “A colorful rendition of sweet memories on a summer day at the ball park.”
Sponsor: Better Parks for Galveston
“We sponsored the project as part of BPG’s Art in the Park initiative.”
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“La Calavera”
Asset Recovery Management Services 2201 Market St., Suite 821, Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Mary Ruth Brown “Dia de los Muertos depicts some of the main causes of sea turtle mortality.”
Sponsor: Asset Recovery Management
“We decided to participate in this program to help raise awareness about the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle as well as support our local artists.”
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“Latte”
Sugar Bean
11 Evia Main, Galveston, TX 77554
Artist: Shawne Moore “Southern charm and landscaping that is so unique to Evia.”
Sponsor: Sugar Bean Coffee and Cream
“We love our new turtle that we call Latte“
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“Mermaid + Turtle = Mertle!”
Clay Cups Studio 2219 Postoffice St., Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Amy Owens “Perfect project for my services to a worthy cause.”
Sponsor: Tom’s Galveston Real Estate
“An innovative and fun way to increase the quality of life in Galveston.”
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“Queen of the Sea”
Moody Gardens 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, TX
Artist: Lenexa Juliet Frances Morais, Artist “I am so thrilled to contribute to this project; It’s fantastic that our art can bring attention to turtle conservation and protecting
ecosystem, while also representing Galveston’s eclectic art culture.”
“Art brings attention to turtle conservation and our art culture”
Moody Gardens, Sponsor “Moody Gardens has been a long-time partner in supporting local sea turtle conservation efforts, so the opportunity to be a part of the Turtles About Town project was an easy decision. Working with a collaboration of like-minded organizations and individuals to bring attention to the challenges that sea turtles face and everyday actions that can be taken to improve the natural world around us is a core tenet of our mission. Beyond that, being a part of a city-wide public art project that showcases our quirky island lifestyle is a refreshing reminder of why we work and live here. We are working to being attention to the challenges that face sea turtles and actions to take to improve our natural world”
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“Sargasso Susan”
Galveston Art League 2117a Postoffice St., Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Leroy LeFlore “The colors represent the Sargasso Sea and the Flower Gardens in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Sponsor: Galveston Art League
“The turtle promotes those things the members of the Galveston Art League hold dear: nature, wildlife, conservation, local history, and art. It was a good match.”
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“Shelly Sandersun”
Sand ‘N Sea Properties 13706 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554
Artist: Ellie Peters “I was thrilled to be asked to be part of a project that brings awareness to the plight of the sea turtle. Our island belongs to them as much as it does to us.”
Sponsor: Sand ‘N Sea Properties
“We think it’s a great way to promote conservation and to bring attention to sea turtles; plus Sand ‘N Sea’s founder is a turtle fan!”
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“Spirit of Sea Aggieland”
Texas A&M University Galveston 200 Seawolf Pkwy, Galveston, TX 77554
Artist: Nick Dominique “For this turtle, A lot of the inspiration came from the city of Galveston as well as the Texas A&M Galveston Campus.”
Sponsor: The Department of Liberal Studies, Texas A&M University at Galveston
“The Department of Liberal Studies— on behalf of its new Tourism and Coastal Community Development program— was excited to sponsor and raise awareness of the Kemp’s Ridley turtles. The program aligns with our goal of educating students to become leaders in the tourism industry, while also helping coastal communities develop sustainably!”
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“Sundae”
Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream 2120 Postoffice St., Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Shay McAnally
“There is nothing quite like that last bite of half melted ice cream in the bottom of the waffle cone, and there is nothing like swimming with a 70-year-old sea turtle in waist high water.”
Sponsor: Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream
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“The Protector”
Galveston City Hall 823 25th St., Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: GABRIEL “Our protectors serving this island with knowledge and love.”
Sponsor: The Kempner Family
“We are pleased to be part of the sponsor group who are helping to heighten the awareness of the plight of the sea turtles.”
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“Tiger Lily”
Therapeutic HealthWorks Day Spa 2114 Sealy St., Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Isabella Carlin Alvarado, “Calming atmosphere for the spa and still bright and colorful.”
Sponsor: Therapeutic HealthWorks Day Spa
“Art, Galveston, and a worthy cause all blended into one great program inspired THW to participate!”
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“Zeke”
Galveston Naval Museum 100 Seawolf Park Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Artist: Brian “Visker” Mahanay & Hannah Claudia James “Zeke was inspired by one of our museum’s main attractions, the USS Cavalla WWII submarine.”
Sponsor: The Galveston Naval Museum
“The Galveston Naval Museum was proud to sponsor Turtles About Town because we believe in the TIRN’s mission.”
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The mission of Turtles About Town is to bring together art, awareness and advocacy. If you are interested in sponsoring a turtle, email turtlesabouttown@gmail.com or call Clay Cup Studios at 409-762-2529.
Turtle Island Restoration Network (SeaTurtles.org) works to protect and restore populations of endangered sea turtles and marine biodiversity on the Texas coast and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Their work is buoyed by thousands of supporters, volunteers and pro bono professionals, who help them extend their network around the globe. They accomplish their mission through grassroots empowerment, consumer action, strategic litigation, hands-on restoration, environmental education, and by promoting sustainable local, national and international marine policies. For nearly 25 years, their efforts have safeguarded sea turtles and engaged the public in their conservation efforts through education, outreach, beach nesting patrols, classroom visits and other habitat protection efforts. For more information on their work and how you can help protect sea turtles, visit SeaTurtles.org.
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