Galveston artist selected to create sculpture from marine debris | Local News

But after moving to the island in 2011 to become a welding instructor, McClimans saw his students’ faces when he showed them how to make a flower. From there, McClimans began building a reputation in the local arts community.

And now he’ll become part of a movement to combine art and environmental awareness in Galveston for years to come.

McClimans recently was announced by the Galveston Park Board and The Washed Ashore Project, an Oregon-based nonprofit that combats plastic pollution through art and education, as the artist selected to design and create a large sculpture made of marine debris to be permanently displayed on the island.

“Evan is a skilled welder,” Brad Parks, conservation and education director for Washed Ashore, said. “All of our sculptures are built around a stainless steel frame or armature that’s on the inside. We’ll work with them too on the concept and the story, but the Galveston community is going to be part of determining what this sculpture will be.

“They will be contributing during beach cleanups and helping that way, as well as all of our sculptures have hands-on components that people from the community will be able to come to the studio and absolutely make pieces that Evan will apply to the sculpture.”

When announcing the project, Washed Ashore said the selected artist could have an assistant for the eight-month project. McClimans will be working with regional artist H.P. Dodge.

“They have already begun really brainstorming and getting excited,” Parks said.

The sculpture will be a permanent version of five traveling sculptures previously on display in Galveston from December 2022 to March 2023: Rosa the Bald Eagle at Pier 21; Gretta the Great white Shark at Saengerfest Park, Stanley the Sturgeon at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Brody the Penguin at the Children’s Museum and Lidia the Seal at Moody Gardens.

What the sculpture will be is dictated by the type of trash found and selected. Nothing on the sculpture is painted.

While McClimans is known for colorful sea turtles, he hopes the final selection is something bright and quick to grab attention.

“In the metal world, you have to be a little bit crazy on top of being an artist because everything hurts,” McClimans said. “My paint brushes are grinders and torches and fire and loud hammering.

“I hang out with artists that paint and they drink coffee and they sit and play music and incense is burning, and I’m like, ‘I like this environment a lot more than mine.’ You have to be a little bit crazy for it.”

In December, he and Dodge will go to Oregon for training. The final location of the sculpture has yet to be determined, Parks said.

“I’m flattered to have this opportunity,” McClimans said. “I feel like it’s a privilege, and I’m blessed that my ability and reputation in the town has given me the opportunity to be able to do this.

“Both of us really love the ocean and the beach, and the idea that we’re part of something real that’s taking care of this and bringing light to the issue instead of just hollering at people on the beach, it means something to both of us on an emotional level.”

This partnership marks the first time Washed Ashore has taken creation of the sculptures out of Oregon, park board officials said.

To help illustrate the creation of the Galveston sculpture, Washed Ashore has brought more than 20 sculptures to the island that will remain on display through January. Most are more than 6 feet tall and will be at museums, parks, attractions and other outdoor spaces, officials said.

McClimans hopes to continue working with the nonprofit after completion of the current project.