People’s Gallery

Ghost of Travelers Past

Commissioned by the Galveston Railroad Museum, the white alabaster sculptures located in the Train Depot were created by Elliot and Ivan Schwartz, founders of StudioEIS, in 1981.

Serving as story tellers, the statues’ conversations may be overheard in the vintage telephone booths by lifting the handset. An ever- bustling 1932 train depot, travelers from all walks of life, bound for their own destinations, congregated here to board their respective trains.

If some appear familiar, it may be so, as live models were used to depict the travelers. The full size figures were made with plaster molds of real people. Visitors will see the faces of the artists, their family, and acquaintances among the statues whose models posed for up to 5 hours with the use of wires to help support them and straws to breathe through.

Elliot and Ivan Schwartz, Studio EIS, are sculptors, object makers, and designers who have produced a remarkable body of work for museums and institutions internationally. The Galveston Railroad Museum is proud to exhibit their creations.