Galveston’s Historic Postoffice Street Offers Coastal Art, Crafts, Antiques and Spirited Things
Galveston, Texas is located on the Gulf of Mexico, just a short drive from Houston, and offers visitors a plethora of activities, attractions, shopping and dining. The Port of Galveston is home to Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Princes and MSC cruise lines throughout the year. Sailings visit Mexico, the Western Caribbean and beyond, including the Panama Canal.
The Port of Galveston
We arrived in Galveston for our NCL Prima cruise a day early and were greeted by cold temps and wind gusts up to 20-30 mph. Our hotel was located on Seawall Boulevard, which is the beautiful coastal area most visitors are familiar with. It runs along the Gulf and is home to the waterfront Pleasure Pier amusement park.
For a while, we watched the churning waves and swaying palms from our room. Finally, I braved Mother Nature’s windy chill to venture along Galveston’s historic Postoffice Street in the Downtown Arts District.
Postoffice Street
The Postoffice District is a popular destination for visitors visiting Galveston. The Street is brimming with unique shops, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and beautiful architecture. It is also home to the Galveston Art League, which showcases monthly exhibits by local artists in their gallery.
The Galveston Arts Center hosts eight ArtWalks throughout the year in this quaint, historic district. There are opportunities to meet local artists and enjoy Galveston’s artistic culture and diversity.
Rene Wiley Gallery
I was greeted at this gallery by Rene Wiley’s husband, Captain Ben Wiley, who is a delightful man that shared his pride of his wife and daughters’ artistic talents with me. This family owned and operated art gallery is filled with the colorful works of Rene and her two daughters, Rachel, who creates breathtaking seascapes, and Samantha, whose portraits are decidedly lifelike. The Rene Wiley Gallery is located in an historic brick building, which provides the perfect backdrop to a curated collection of the family’s original oil paintings, photography and giclee prints.
When I visited, Rene was showcasing a collection of palm tree paintings that I loved. Her paintings of colorful birds and wildlife are also striking. However, what inspired me the most, were her vivid images of boats in a harbor (of course) and the way she created movement in the water by using her unique color technique. Amazing.
In addition, visitors to the Gallery will discover artwork by other local artists, including beautiful landscape paintings by Darlene Wall, striking wood sculptures by renowned wood sculptor James D. Phillips, textile mosaic works by Brenda Bunten-Schloesser, unique laminated wood bowls by Dale Hooks and stunning glass work by Bill Meek.
Due to the inclement weather, I didn’t make it to several other galleries on Postoffice Street, as I had planned. I want to mention a few for your consideration and will be sure to experience them on my next visit to Galveston!
From The Heart Gallery
Affaire d’Art
Mock & More Gallery
The Shoppes on Postoffice
This large corner shop features a diverse gallery of arts, crafts, fashion, photography, décor and more created by local artists and makers. From colorful fish wall hangings to pelican painted rocks, and handmade cards to glass sea creatures and funky accessories, The Shoppes on Postoffice’s gallery of local artisans has something unique for everyone!
One of my favorite collections was by local artist Barbara Parker, called Reflections in Glass. Her mixed media creations feature stained and reclaimed glass, broken pottery, shells, and other natural elements, framed in rustic salvaged wood.
The Naked Mermaid
A delightful little shop filled with local arts, crafts, fashion, accessories, jewelry, furniture, and home décor, most of it centered around mermaids! The Naked Mermaid offers a variety of unique arts and crafts themed from coastal decor to shabby chic. There are two friendly cats and two love birds in residence, plus, visitors are offered a glass of chardonnay so they can “Sip and Shop” while perusing The Naked Mermaid’s eclectic collection of creative and kitschy Things.
There are more fabulous shops showcasing local art, crafts, fashion, and unique one-of-a-kind antique and vintage collectibles on Postoffice Steet, in addition to those I visited above. Be sure to stop by the following during your visit to Galveston!
The Old Galveston Trading Company
St. John Antiques
Chymoons
Antique Pavilion
Fullen Jewelry
The Witchery
Texas Tail Distillery
This local distillery comes from the imagination, hard work and strong friendship of two men who met during college in 2007 and shared a passion for one day creating their own unique spirit for all to enjoy. Nick and Greg began handcrafting beer, then moved on to creating small-batch spirits using locally sourced ingredients from area farmers and suppliers.
Texas Tail Distillery specializes in vodka, whiskey and an assortment of flavored moonshine products. They have won numerous awards at the New York and San Francisco World Spirit Competitions.
I had the opportunity to take a distillery tour and hear more about their unique process of Texas Tail craft distilling, which was really inspiring. Tours are available by reservation, and tastings are offered along with strong frozen concoctions and tasty eats, including bar-b-que pork and brisket.
Be sure to stop by and take home some handcrafted spirits produced with care by these two talented friends in Galveston, Texas!
Next Voyage - Join me as I embark on NCL’s stunning Prima ship, bound for the Western Caribbean ports of Costa Maya, Harvest Caye, Roatan and Cozumel.
Till then, keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!
CHEERS!
Wind blown in Galveston!