UNDERWATER HOA IN GALVESTON
underwater homeowners association meeting at marmo cafe & lounge
On June 5, 2026, Galveston, Texas, hosted a community activation of “The Underwater,” a project led by South Florida eco-artist Xavier Cortada designed to address the urgent threat of sea level rise. The event centered on a meeting of the Underwater Homeowners Association, where Galveston residents gathered to discuss the environmental vulnerabilities of their coastal community. Cortada, joined by Adam Roberti, executive director of the Cortada Foundation, presented science-backed insights into how human-driven climate change is impacting local property values and future community stability.
The meeting encouraged residents to move beyond climate denial by framing sea level rise as a tangible economic issue affecting flood insurance and property equity. Participants engaged in a participatory art activity where they used an app to discover their home’s elevation and then hand-painted that number onto yard signs. These signs serve as catalysts for neighbor-to-neighbor dialogue, making the invisible threat of rising seas a public and unavoidable topic of conversation throughout Galveston.
A highlight of the evening was the spontaneous nomination of local retired scientist Tom Manello as the chairman of the Underwater Homeowners Association of Galveston. This moment exemplified the event’s core mission: empowering “people of consequence” to take creative leadership and steward their community toward a more resilient future. The activation concluded with a call for continued action and a group photo of residents proudly displaying their elevation signs, signaling a new chapter of civic engagement for the island.
