In a pandemic-driven world, a lot is up for debate. We’ve had many cultural conversations on finding your place, knowing who you are, and what your worth is. Life is complicated. It’s critical to find space at the table for everyone. Equality and equanimity are essential - no matter our tax bracket. Because of the pandemic, many of us have heard the wolves at the door. We know someone who lost their job, their house, or watched their life go underwater. We saw the lines at th

Victoria Kowalenko has been creating art since childhood and is constantly looking for new mediums to incorporate into her art. She was in the UTMB Physician Assistant class of 2020. She currently works in Orthopedic Spine Surgery at Houston Methodist and is inspired by her work each day. Victoria’s work was recently featured at the Proletariat here in Galveston. Victoria wanted to combine themes of nature and anatomy to show the beauty of life, death, and the human form. She

This great sand bar has so much going for it, like the abundance of pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia Pulcherraima). For the women of Galveston, this is more than an ornamental shrub keeping up the curb appeal. This is freedom, this is opportunity, and this is potentially free. If you haven’t already, plant Pride of Barbados in protest over recent restrictions in women’s reproductive choices. This flowering abortifacient (any substance that is used to terminate a pregnancy) is a

Have you ever been to the bandshell at Menard Park? It’s in front of the McGuire Dent Recreation Center (“rec center”) on 27th and Seawall. Right behind the painted big turtle is a stage with an acoustic shell-shaped wall wrapping around it. It was made for hosting concerts. I’d been seeing it for years, asking what the story was on that place, but no one had anything to say except I heard, “We need some music here.” Or, “They should host a concert series in the park.” They s

Disclaimer: the opinions stated in this commentary are my own and do not represent any organizational affiliation or business interest. My memories of Galveston are interesting to say the least and every sweet rememberance, indelibly marked on my heart. As a B.O.I. (born on island), my roots on the island are deep, broad, and proud! Growing up, my wonder years happened in Galveston every summer, every holiday, and all family occasions in between. My whole world revolved aroun

The draw to Galveston is one of uncertainty and potential scrutiny. Since the Great Storm of 1900, Texans off the island have long warned against and turned their noses to the idea of living on a sand bar. But guess what? That is exactly what we want them to do. Stay away, this island is ours! They may think this part of the Gulf of Mexico is dirty, and by association, so is our community. But we all know what the ocean can look like here on calm and dry October days. Every t

I'm curious Galveston, why the cruise ship industry is potentially, and exponentially, expanding on our island, but will create a burden on us who live here by decreasing our small island quality of life? Continuing to build cruise ship terminals and encouraging vessel capacities of nearly 10,000 people (crew included) will exceed tourism burden thresholds. This sand barrier island, the people who live here, and its ecosystem are way too valuable to give way, fellow islanders

I am often curious, and so is this city and all its curiosities fascinate me, which is why I keep returning to this island to be one of its year-round residents. Texas A&M University at Galveston initially drew me here, to study the ocean, and now I live and work here, to protect the ocean. What I help protect is prettier than any other underwater place in the wider Atlantic Basin, which is really big and includes our Gulf of Mexico. I know this because of data and personal e

If you came to the Third coast looking for artistic expression and vibrancy, you are not alone. Our eclectic little island is home to several artist-inhabited enclaves. In fact, we have some of the best artists in the county cropping up at unique venues centralized in the downtown Galveston area. If unique spaces and obscure art are what you want, it has got to be Galveston! THE NATIONAL HOTEL ARTISTS LOFTS The National Hotel Artist Lofts (NHAL) were built in 1870 as an opera