Art on the Island
If you find yourself walking down the Strand on a sunny day…
You might happen to look up and see clouds of bubbles floating through the air. The curious few who decide to follow those clouds will find themselves at the corner of 23rd and Market, in front of the National Hotel Artists Lofts. Many of the colorful residents keep bubble machines on the ledges of their windows for days when the ocean breeze is blowing just right.
Originally the site of the very first opera house in TX, this historic building has seen many different iterations over the years. Currently, it is home to a small, tight-knit community of local visual artists, musicians, photographers, performers, and even an island-famous voice actor. (If you’ve ever heard the directions piped over the loudspeakers on the Bolivar ferry, you’re already familiar with some of his work! Pro-tip for podcast enthusiasts: look up Jim Bratton. You can thank me later.)
Among the businesses on the first floor of the building, you’ll find Old Moon Deli & Pie, The Proletariat Bar & Gallery, and a brand new sparkling addition to this already vibrant spot; Kindred Studios. While this multipurpose gallery and hybrid work space may be new to the scene, the artists behind the collective are anything but.
The concept was founded by an artist (and beloved long-time Galvestonian) named Regina Lee Parkinson. You might’ve seen her work in her previous gallery located just down the block in the beautiful United States National Bank building. She is a multimedia artist whose abstract works combine texture and color to create pieces rich with both feeling and meaning.
The vision for this space far exceeds the scope of her previous gallery, though. From the start, Regina knew she wanted to create something that was more than just walls covered in art. She dreamed of a concept that could be a combination of a gallery, studio space, auction house, storefront, classroom, and event venue. A place that was built to shape her community, and was made possible through the collective efforts of other creative kindred spirits. That’s where the rest of her partners come in.
Regina has gathered a stellar team of talented women to bring this vision to life; Jessica Antonelli, Georgia Deatherage, Megan Maberry, and Sarah Saenz are all creative powerhouses in their respective disciplines.
Jessica has been teaching art on the island for quite some time, and has had her watercolor works featured in numerous other spots around town. Georgia is a multifaceted artist who makes paintings, creates textiles, and owns an eclectic jewelry business called Wabi Sabi Moon. Megan is another art educator, and also sells elaborately decorated one-of-a-kind, handcrafted head pieces under her business, Hurricane Headdress. Sarah is best known to most by her professional handle Mid The Pines photography, and is often spotted capturing lively, colorful shots at all the coolest local events around town.
Together, these gals are ushering in a new era of creative collaboration, which is sure to prove just as exciting as it is valuable to the ever growing art scene on the island. So, if art is your thing, be sure to check them out. And if you get the chance, just follow the bubbles… you might be lucky enough to find some kindred spirits while you’re visiting!