Outdoor art is growing in population all over the country and Galveston is no exception. Call it what you will—graffiti art, wall art or murals—outdoor art is trending. And why not? Who doesn’t enjoy an Insta-Perfect backdrop for selfies on social media? Or the transformation of a drab wall into a beautiful seaside landscape?

“Public art is a great enhancement to the City of Galveston,” Cultural Arts Commission Chair Kathleen DiNatale said. “The murals make our neighborhoods more beautiful. They add color and beauty to walls that would otherwise go unnoticed and that’s a treat for visitors and residents alike,” she said.

“Some of Galveston’s vibrant outdoor murals have historical or educational significance, others beautify the downtown area and some are just plain fun,” DiNatale said.

Ball High graduate and local artist Gabriel Prusmack has painted more than 20 murals throughout the city. One of the most photographed is the “Greetings from Galveston” mural in Saengerfest Park that was commissioned by the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. Reminiscent of an old-fashioned postcard, it sums up all that the island has to offer.

Prusmack’s “Sea Turtles” is located in Menard Park and depicts each of the five sea turtles that visit the Gulf of Mexico—Green Sea Turtle, the Loggerhead, the Hawksbill, the Leatherback, and the Kemp’s Ridley. This mural was commissioned by the Turtle Island Restoration Network and funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

One of his largest and most-often-seen murals are painted on the two entrance pillars on the causeway bridge connecting Tiki and Galveston islands.

“I had a ball painting that, but you can’t see the best part,” he said, referring to the words painted on the top of each: “Be Free” on the Galveston side and “Love Big” on the Tiki side.

Prusmack said he wants to leave the world, and the City of Galveston, in a better place than he found it.

“Art is profound; both for the painter and those that view it. I want to create art that makes people think and question and climb over preconceived lines. I want to create an experience. If I can do that and leave a space better than it was before, then I’ve done my job,” he said.

“Community art brings people together, encourages them to interact. And it brings value to the businesses as well because we create an interest in the buildings that house the businesses,” Prusmack said.

Long-time downtown business Maceo Spice & Import Company, 2701 Market Street, is home to several indoor and outdoor art pieces. One exterior wall features a colorful geometric pattern with splashes of bright colors perfect for posing.

Artist Daniel Anguilu led a group of local art students that created the piece. The mural of a silhouette jazz band on the front of the building was painted by Taylor Trimble, another local Galveston artist.

The Kindness Project is a whimsical collage of murals with meaning that was created by a team of artists and is located at 22nd and Postoffice streets. Interactive designs allow you to spread your wings or hold an umbrella under the rain.

There are more than a dozen paintings that encourage participation and cry out for picture taking. The Bee Kind bee holds court with Giving Tree characters that make the perfect partners for social media posts. The overall message of this colossal outdoor art piece reminds the observer that a kinder community is a stronger community.

Two full blocks of paintings wrap around the corner of the ground floor of the old McCrory Building. The sharp onlooker will note a hashtag among the artwork: #c2bk, an acronym for “Cool to Be Kind,” the purpose of the Galveston Kindness Project—the organization behind this collaborative piece.

Justin Lopez is one of the participating artists in this collaborative neighborhood piece. A neighborhood he knows well. Born and raised in Galveston, Lopez considers himself lucky to be able to create in and contribute to beautifying his hometown.

Lopez created several murals in Galveston including the daytime and nighttime beach landscapes outside the Beach Bums Bar, 1828 Strand Street. This vast beach landscape includes images of surfboards and a classic Volkswagen bus.

“It means a lot to me to be able to give back to the city that has given me so much as an artist,” Lopez said.

Socially minded phrases like, “Give Peas a Chance,” are constantly being updated by Lopez in the Kindness Project. He refreshes the mural with new expressions and paintings that lend a light-heartedness to deeper messages.

Perhaps the ultimate mural with a message is Reginald C. Adams’ “Absolute Equality” on the corner of Strand and 22nd streets. This community centerpiece is a 5,000-square-foot mural facing a parking lot that was formerly the Union Soldier headquarters. This painting celebrates Juneteenth, when General Order No. 3 demanded “absolute equality” among enslaved people and slave owners throughout Texas.

Adams is an award-winning artist who works in multiple mediums and techniques. He is best known for his tile mosaic murals and sculptures located in and around Houston.

Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth and the mural is painted on the east wall of the Old Galveston Square Building. Juneteenth was declared a national holiday on June 17, 2021.

Many murals in Galveston are both interactive and inspirational. Like Whitney Hayden’s painting that includes the famous line, “Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” above pink spoonbill wings on the building at 1801 Avenue L. Her two murals at Texas Tail Distillery, 2416 Postoffice Street, “Beachy Vibes Only” and “Cheers, Galveston” are great adult photo ops.

“Outdoor art puts a smile on everyone’s face. And that good feeling spreads,” Hayden said. “It’s catchy. More and more murals begin popping up. In Galveston, there’s a nice little surprise around every corner.”

Galveston’s murals are a bit like its residents: fun and sometimes quirky. They tell a story, depict our beachy environs or offer fun and interactive backdrops for social media selfies.

“There’s no doubt that murals attract visitors to the streets of Galveston,” said DiNatale. “They include artistry in all graphic styles. They add great value and character to our city. They’re a win-win for everyone.”