A Change in View
- Melissa Mitchell
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
October 8, 2025
It has been a while since I’d spent a morning under a pop-up tent, setting out art and merchandise. Most of my days are spent behind the counter at the gallery, surrounded by the work of other artists—helping tell their stories, connecting them with collectors, and celebrating creativity in all its forms.
But at this year’s Sea Turtle Festival this past Saturday, I found myself on the other side of the booth again, standing in the sunshine beside my daughter, seeing everything—my work, the community, and even the gallery itself—with fresh eyes.
Sunshine, Salt Air, and a Slice of the Gallery
The day began with a soft coastal drizzle—just enough to make you wonder if anyone would come—but as Island weather tends to do, it shifted quickly. The rain passed, the clouds lifted, and a gentle breeze carried in the scent of salt air mixed with sunscreen and heavy aromas from the food trucks—a day full of sunshine and conversation.
Soon the festival was buzzing with families, runners (even the tireless Texas Sealife Center mascot -Touche) fresh from the 5K Turtle Trot, and rows of colorful tents filled with Island-inspired goods. My daughter, Dr. Lauren Jensen (Island Family Eyecare) shared the space with me—her sunglasses displayed beside a collection of my own art designs along with selected pieces from three other gallery artists. It was a small slice of Padre Island Art Gallery tucked under one canopy—a blend of creativity and collaboration that felt both personal and familiar.
There’s a rhythm that happens at these community events, a mix of laughter and conversation that carries on the breeze. It’s not just about sales—it’s about stories. A woman from Ohio stopping by to talk about ways to expand her own watercolor artwork collection, a couple planned a pick-up for a surfboard they had purchased from the gallery, and friends dropping by to catch up between customers.
All around us, the day unfolded in color. Crystal filled her Cabana Pantry booth with the beauty, scents, and flavors of the season that had everyone stopping for a taste. Beside her, Shawna of Gypsy Finns was showing off her newest designs and beautiful coastal maps—all full of that signature Island whimsy that always makes people smile.
Conversations that Stuck
The conversations... they were the best part of the day.
"Hey, that’s the Swirling Leaves cards from the newspaper article!”, “These are so pretty.”, “You did all of these?”, and “I need to come by the gallery.”
And then, from three different people that day, almost the same phrase: “You’ve really expanded.”
It was said with that mix of surprise and delight that happens when someone rediscovers something familiar. It made me smile because the collections on display have been part of the gallery all along—pieces that quietly live on separate shelves in different rooms— suddenly felt new when seen all pulled together, out in the sunshine, beneath a simple canopy. Somehow they looked different.
Seeing Things Anew
That moment stayed with me. What struck me most was realizing how much context changes perception. My art hadn’t changed. But removing it from the gallery walls, setting it side by side as a collection, made people notice it in a new way.
It reminded me that presentation has power—not just in art, but in everything we share. Sometimes it takes a shift in setting, a new light, or even a different backdrop to make something familiar feel extraordinary again.
The Heart of It
As the afternoon breeze lifted the edges of the canopy and laughter carried down the rows, I found myself grateful. Grateful for the people who stopped to chat, for the artists whose work I was proud to display, and for this coastal community that continues to show up, rain or shine.
The Art of Island Life will return next week with more stories and inspiration from our coastal community. Have a story to share or an upcoming event? Reach out to me at contact@melissamitchellart.com.
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