Currents of Care: Supporting Sea Turtles and Art for Cause

January 31, 2025

The Texas Sealife Center has long been a cornerstone of conservation on the island, dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing marine life. Recently, they’ve been working tirelessly to care for around 200 turtles— most of which were cold-stunned and will be released when temperatures warm up to prevent the risk of another cold-stun event occurring.

A cold-stunned turtle receiving life-saving treatment at the Texas Sealife Center

Cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles are exposed to frigid water temperatures that leave them immobile and unable to swim to safety. This phenomenon often requires an immediate response from organizations like the Texas Sealife Center, whose team of volunteers works around the clock to ensure these vulnerable creatures get the care they need.

The Center’s recent Facebook post reminds us all of the importance of community involvement:

"Today, we received over 40 cold-stunned turtles. We are expecting this event to continue through the end of the week. Please keep an eye out for any cold turtles and call 866-TURTLE5 or 361-589-4023 to report them and receive further rescue instructions. Thank you to everyone involved in rescue and rehabilitation efforts! We could not do what we do without you!"

This urgent message and vital work is a reminder of the incredible role the Texas Sealife Center plays in protecting the marine life that makes our coastal community so special.

Tours of the Sealife Center are generally offered Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling Texas Sealife Center at 361-589-4023.

Art for a Cause

In celebration of conservation and creativity, we are thrilled to announce a special art event at Padre Island Art Gallery. On February 1st, we will host an art show featuring local artist Vanessa Spittler, whose vibrant abstract work beautifully captures the spirit of the coast.

As part of the event, Vanessa has created a stunning original piece of art entitled "Currents of Care", which will be raffled off to benefit the Texas Sealife Center. Raffle tickets are available for $10 each, and proceeds will support the Center’s critical efforts to rescue and rehabilitate cold-stunned turtles and other marine life.

Currents of Care - Donated by Artist, Vanessa Spittler

We may even have a special guest joining us from the Sealife Center, offering a unique opportunity to learn more about their vital work firsthand.  

Raffle tickets can be purchased in person at the gallery or on our website using the QR code included here. For those who want to make a direct impact supporting our sea turtles, we’ll also be accepting donations for the Texas Sealife Center during the event. 

Raffle and Donation QR code - Donations accepted until January 31st, 2025

Join the Movement - Supporting Sea Turtles

This is a wonderful opportunity to support two of our community’s treasures: the Texas Sealife Center and local art. By attending the show, purchasing a raffle ticket, or simply making a donation, you can make a real difference in the lives of these endangered turtles and the dedicated team working to save them.

Let’s come together to celebrate art, conservation, and the shared love we have for our coastal home. We hope to see you on February 1st for this special event that shines a light on the beauty and resilience of our community—both in nature and in the people who care for it.

Raffle winner of Currents of Care with contributing Artist, Vanessa Spittler

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 melissa@padreislandartgallery.com.