Harsh Reality Art Exhibit

The Jesse Tree

2622 Market Street Galveston, Texas 77550

(409) 621-2455 Fax (409) 621-2531

Toll Free (877) 621-2455 Email jessetree@aol.com

"A shoot will come up from the stem of Jesse;

from his roots a branch will bear fruit." Isaiah 11:1

Harsh Reality Art Exhibit

The Harsh Reality Series is a set of 22 pen and ink sketches depicting various views on homelessness and poverty.

Artist: Tom Gibson

Photographer: John Morello

Fort Crockett Overlook

From my apartment, high above the seawall, I watched his comings and goings from afar. Willie had been sleeping atop several flat rocks, wrapped in a large, blue plastic tarp, keeping the cold and damp of the Gulf at bay.

Near his sleeping area were two large rocks, tilted and leaning against each other. I began to notice pallets, boards and rocks appearing and placed in a framework around them. It reminded me of a fort a child would build. I didn’t realize that Willie was building himself a home. An old athletic sock, hanging from a stick, was his flag.

The original Fort Crockett left many recycled houses, buildings and bunkers, victims of World War II and the Cold War. Willie resided in his new fort from Thanksgiving until Mardi Gras, a victim of tourism and the seawall park cleanup crew.

This art exhibit is prepared for loan to qualified organizations. For more information about shipping fees and ways to donate to the Jesse Tree, call (409) 621-2455 or if you live out of the Galveston, Texas (409) area code, call toll free (877) 621-2455.