Meet the Icons
The selected participants represent a wide cross-section of the island’s working community, each bringing a distinct perspective shaped by their life and craft. From artists and musicians to service industry professionals and nonprofit leaders, their stories reflect the layered identity of the place they call home. Together, they form a portrait of Galveston that is both diverse and deeply connected.
Jim is a voice actor whose work is woven into the daily experience of Galveston through the ferry system. His voice delivers the greeting and safety announcements heard by thousands as they cross between land and water. His career centers on storytelling through sound, shaping moments that are often felt more than consciously noticed. He was photographed on the Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry, where his story reflects presence, familiarity, and the unseen ways a voice can become part of a place.
Jim Bratton
Abril is a Galveston native who works as a face painter and balloon artist, bringing color and joy to community spaces and celebrations. She is also part of a family legacy as the granddaughter of the owners of El Rey, a beloved breakfast spot known for fueling generations of Ball High students. Her life is rooted in both creative expression, including painting a Turtle About Town and the everyday rhythms of a place that has always been home. She was photographed at El Rey Restaurant, where her story reflects tradition, community, and the small rituals that shape island life.
Abril Celeste
Eduardo is the director of the Texas Surf Museum and a young leader contributing to Galveston’s cultural landscape. His background includes work as a reporter, where he experienced the island from above—flying in helicopters and capturing stories from a broader vantage point. That perspective continues to shape how he understands place, movement, and narrative. He was photographed from the top of the National Hotel Artist Lofts overlooking the island, representing observation, perspective, and the evolving future of Galveston.
Eduardo Hernandez
Georgia Stathakos Deatherage
Georgia is a former belly dancer turned bodyworker and massage therapist, who also creates handmade jewelry. Her work centers on the body, movement, and personal transformation, blending physical practice with creative expression. She operates from a deeply personal space, both in her work and in her environment. She was photographed on the staircase of the Frost Bank Building where she played as a little girl visiting her father at work.
Anette Kinslow
Annette is a jewelry artist, cemetery tour guide, and passionate historian deeply connected to Galveston’s past. Known as the “queen of sea glass,” she transforms found objects into pieces that carry both beauty and story. Her work reflects a reverence for history and the layers of meaning held within physical spaces. She was photographed in the Old Galveston Cemetery on Broadway during the yellow bloom, where her story represents preservation, memory, and the enduring presence of those who came before.
Cora is the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to serving underserved youth through art workshops and community events. Her work is rooted in advocacy, education, and creating access to creative expression for the next generation. She builds spaces where growth, connection, and opportunity can take shape. She was photographed at the Sandpiper Cove community garden, where her story reflects nurturing, service, and the cultivation of both people and place.
Cora Moore
Michael is a lifelong Galveston resident whose career has been dedicated to serving the city and its people. His connection to the island is built through years of consistency, presence, and commitment to community life. Outside of his work, he shares a quieter side of the island through time spent at the beach with his partner and his dog, Hermione. He was photographed at Apffel Park Road, where his story reflects continuity, routine, and the lived experience of calling Galveston home.
Michael Perkins
Jen is a bartender of over 30 years, known for building a loyal following through decades of connection and presence. Her work has created a space where relationships are formed, stories are shared, and community is sustained night after night. She has become a familiar and trusted figure within the social fabric of the island. She was photographed at the historic drinking fountain near O’Malley’s, where her story reflects gathering, ritual, and the social heartbeat of Galveston.
Jen Schweizer
Photographed at Soma Tattoo, co-owners Mel Mo Black and Sierra Sakel embody a side of Galveston that can't be found on a postcard. Both arrived on the island in their twenties and found something worth staying for: a creative community built on connection, self-expression, and belonging. Through tattooing, music, and the relationships they've cultivated over the years, they represent the artists, makers, and unconventional spirits who help shape Galveston's culture from the inside out.
Mel Mo Black with Sierra Sakel
