The Galveston Beach Trio sculpture byTexas-based Brad Oldham Sculpture will welcome passengers as they embark at Royal Caribbean’s new Galveston cruise terminal
Royal Caribbean Group’s soon-to-debut cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston will feature a sculpture by two Texas artists.
In a nod to bothGalvestonandTexas,the Galveston Beach Trio sculpture, designed byTexas-based Brad Oldham Sculpture, will welcome passengers as they embark at the facility, opening Nov. 9.
‘Showcasing the history and culture ofGalvestonwas our top priority in establishing this art installation in our new terminal, and we’re thrilled to partner with Brad Oldham Sculpture to bring this vision to life,’ saidJoshua Carroll, VP destination development, Royal Caribbean Group.
Inspired by Galveston’s musical heritage
Forged in stainless steel and lost-wax bronze, the Galveston Beach Trio is inspired by the rich musical heritage of the historic port city. That heritage includes musicians likeGalveston-native and Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone singer and songwriterBarry White, as well as local artists likeJoyce Fields, who played piano for nearly 20 years at Sunday brunch at the historic Hotel Galvez, andJoe Pena, the guitarist known as the Granddaddy of Galveston rock ‘n’ roll.
Royal Caribbean tappedHouston-basedPiper Faust Public Artto assemble a selection ofTexasartists to consider for this opportunity. Aconcept by the husband-and-wife team ofBrad OldhamandChristy Coltrinof Brad Oldham Sculpture was selected. Theyspecialize in narrative-based sculpture and site-specific installations designed to evoke the spirit and heart of unique places.
Backdrop for family photos
‘When we started working on the design concepts for a placemaking sculpture at Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal inGalveston, we first talked about our favorite family vacations,’ Brad Oldham said. ‘Some of our best memories are from traveling together. We are honored to create a permanent installation that cultivates the vacation vibe with an approachable music theme using native animals to make up the band. It is exciting to think that the Galveston Beach Trio may make it into family vacation pictures to capture the special time together.’
‘Galvestonis particularly meaningful to me because my grandfather was a 1925 graduate of Ball High School before attendingTexas A&M University,’ Christy Coltrin said. ‘He had a private architecture practice inGalvestonin the 1940s. I think that he would like to know that his granddaughter helped create a sculpture celebrating his hometown.’
$125m, zero-energy cruise terminal
Royal Caribbean’s $125m terminal will be home to Allure of the Seas, the line’s first Oasis-class ship to sail from Texas. It is designed as a world-first zero-energy cruise facility.
