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

Mobile Home

Parked on a side street, about a block from the old Austin Street shelter, this sagging old Pontiac Safari wagon seemed to be carrying the burden of the world on its back. Blankets and cardboard in the windows offered little privacy for the person that I could see moving about inside. The interior of the car was as full as the roof rack.

The bright red stingray bicycle, a large plastic basket wired to the handlebars, seemed to be a prized possession. I would say that this was an upscale and enterprising homeless person. Gathering and scavenging was a “wheel-up” on those afoot or those with the worn-out grocery carts.

The vehicle was gone a few days later. I found it parked in the middle of a vacant lot, between the railroad tracks and a roofless warehouse. Two big, worn-out chairs sat out in front of it. Homesteading? Maybe, maybe not

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.