GALVESTON MAKES WAVES
A CITY-WIDE COMMUNITY AND ART COLLABORATION
Transforming Ocean Debris into Impactful Art
When increased visitation led to growing concerns over beach debris, the Galveston community embraced an innovative approach to spark awareness and inspire meaningful change. By partnering with local artists and the community, Washed Ashore’s renowned Art to Save the Sea initiative transformed ocean debris into striking sculptures. The collaboration became a powerful catalyst for sustainability, driving significant community engagement, extensive media coverage, and heightened environmental awareness.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Galveston residents joined hands-on beach cleanups and creative workshops, transforming ocean waste into stunning, educational sculptures.
ISLAND-WIDE IMPACT
From December 2022 to March 2023, 22 vibrant, thought-provoking sculptures were publicly displayed across Galveston, marking the first time in the U.S. that Washed Ashore installations were accessible outside paid venues.
INTERACTIVE APP
Visitors were encouraged to discover each sculpture through an interactive scavenger hunt featured on the Visit Galveston app. This innovative engagement tool logged over 40,000 interactions, significantly increasing visitor participation and reinforcing sustainability messaging.
AMPLIFIED REACH & VISIBILITY
The Washed Ashore Galveston exhibit received extensive media coverage and digital engagement, significantly amplifying the critical message of marine conservation and positioning Galveston as a vibrant eco-tourism destination.
5.2 MILLION
Earned Media Impressions
475,000+
Social Media Impressions
62,000
Social Media Engagements
40,000
App Check-ins
EXPANDED MEDIA REACH & VISIBILITY
EARNED MEDIA
- Achieved over 5.2 million impressions through diverse media including TV, radio, digital news, and print.
- Secured regional and national coverage, significantly amplifying sustainability messaging.
SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACT
- Over 475,000 organic impressions on Facebook and Instagram, resulting in more than 62,000 engagements and 15,400 direct clicks to project-related content.
- An additional 2.5 million impressions via targeted paid campaigns, driving strong visitor interest and participation.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: CELEBRATING LOCAL TALENT
At the heart of the Galveston project was local artist Evan McClimans, whose creativity and passion brought a distinct sense of place to the sculptures. Evan’s involvement enriched community pride and demonstrated how local artists can become powerful advocates for sustainability.
“Working with Washed Ashore not only allowed me to express myself artistically but also helped amplify a crucial message of conservation within our own community.”
– Evan McClimans, Galveston-based artist
Meet Gerty: A One-of-a-Kind Sculpture Built by the Community
Galveston’s newest public art installation, “Gerty of the Gulf,” beautifully transforms ocean debris into a powerful statement of community driven conservation. Created in collaboration with Washed Ashore, this unique sculpture was carefully crafted from marine debris collected by dedicated local volunteers and coastal staff.
Standing 6 feet tall, “Gerty of the Gulf” depicts a reddish egret, the official bird of Galveston. With fewer than 4,000 reddish egrets remaining in the United States, the sculpture serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of our natural world. Named by the Galveston community in honor of Gertrude “Gerty” LeClaire, a respected educator and suffragist known for advocating public education and women’s rights, the artwork symbolizes Galveston’s dedication to environmental stewardship, artistic expression, and civic pride.
Why Partner with Washed Ashore?
Partnering with Washed Ashore means:
- Amplifying your community’s commitment to sustainability.
- Generating substantial media attention and visitor interest.
- Providing impactful education and engagement through art.
The Washed Ashore initiative serves as an ideal platform for cities and communities seeking to spotlight, align, and ignite their sustainability goals through meaningful, community-driven action.
Bring Washed Ashore to Your City
Are you ready to inspire environmental action and community engagement in your city? Join us in our mission to protect the ocean through transformative art.
Thank You, Galveston!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Galveston Park Board, artist Evan McClimans, and the incredible people of Galveston for partnering with us to bring our mission of ocean conservation to Texas shores. This pilot project beautifully demonstrates the power of communities uniting to create lasting positive change.
