Galveston Garden Gnomes Trail
Explore the Galveston Garden Gnomes Trail by searching for Asali throughout Galveston & Bolivar Peninsula! The Galveston Garden Gnome Trail features gnome sculptures homed across the island–this trail is the perfect match for a city whose identity is synonymous with fun, innovation, celebration and no small amount of magic.
What is a Garden Gnome?
The Garden Gnomes of GOFM are whimsically magical creatures that spend their days sleeping and their nights caring for the various school and community gardens of GOFM and beyond. Garden Gnomes–and similar mythical beings– are present in fairy tales and legends that go back hundreds of years across many cultures. The tradition of representing otherworldly characters as sculptures is as old as human civilization, and GOFM’s Garden Gnomes are a proud addition to this rich history that is also uniquely Galvestonian.
Asali the Gnome shows up all over Galveston & Bolivar Peninsula, acting as the friendly ambassador of all the Garden Gnomes. “Asali” is a name of Swahili origin meaning “sweet like honey!”
The Gnomes are famously shy, but Asali volunteered herself as the ambassador for visitors who are eager to catch a glimpse of our magical friends! As you travel from garden to garden, look for Asali’s little wooden gnome home where she sits comfortably during the day–at night, she climbs out and keeps herself busy among her fellow gnomes, tending the plants of the garden!
Asali the Gnome
Where does the Trail lead? Want to see more Garden Gnomes and gardens?
Scan the QR Code to find the Garden Gnome Trail map that will direct you to the GOFM Young Gardeners Program gardens, Victory Gardens and gardens housed at partner locations that each have their own Asali to find!
The following locations house a gnome home and Asali:
McGuire Dent Victory Garden in Menard Park: 2222 28th St.
Morgan Elementary: 1410 37th St.
Burnet Elementary: 5501 Ave. S.
Oppe Elementary: 2915 81st St.
Nia Cultural Center: 2217 The Strand
Galveston Children’s Museum: 2618 Broadway Ave.
Crenshaw: 416 TX-87, Crystal Beach, TX (take a trip on the Galveston-Bolivar Ferry!)
Parker Elementary: 6802 Jones Dr, Galveston, TX 77551
The History
The Galveston Garden Gnomes Trail was created by Galveston’s Own Farmers Market (GOFM), GOFM’s Young Gardeners Program Director Honi Alexander, artist Reginald C. Adams, and a grant from the City of Galveston’s Cultural Arts Commission.
Galveston’s Own Farmers Market (GOFM) is a local non-profit organization with a mission to build and sustain a local food community through a vibrant producers-only marketplace, improved food access, and educational programming.
Honi (left) & Reginald (right) with Asalis
In late 2021, GOFM’s Young Gardeners Program (YGP) Director, Honi Alexander, set out to find garden gnomes for YGP’s various gardens that would match the shades, braids, twists, coils and curls of the Black and Brown students in her program. At that time, out of the 300+ students enrolled in YGP, nearly half did not identify as White. When her search turned up only White gnomes whose skin had been painted brown, GOFM began to envision creating a uniquely Galvestonian gnome that reflects the stories of the children who participate in our programs.
GOFM reached out to nationally-renowned artist and friend, Reginald C. Adams, who immediately shared the vision to celebrate the people of Galveston island and correct this artistic void! to Reginald C. Adams is a public artist, social entrepreneur and community developer best known for his award winning public art projects, many of which are intentionally located in some of Houston’s most historic and under-served neighborhoods. Adams is the visionary behind the Juneteenth Legacy Project’s ‘Absolute Equality’ mural and storytelling space completed in Galveston in 2021.
The Galveston Garden Gnome Trail taps into our collective imagination and invites visitors and locals alike to explore the island in search of garden gnomes that mirror the beauty of Galveston’s children.
Discover the work of Reginald C. Adam here>
Learn more about GOFM & YGP:
Curious about the operations of Galveston’s Own Farmers Market? Explore our website or write us at info@gofarmersmarket.com
Want to know more about the Young Gardeners Program or our Victory Gardens Program–or even find a way to get your hands dirty? Click the images below!
