Artwork by Joey Quiroga

Photographer and artist Joey Quiroga explores the beauty of the upper Texas coast

For locals and visitors, sailboats and ships provide a picturesque backdrop to life by the sea. Island artist Joey Quiroga captures two quintessential Galveston scenes — the Tall Ship Elissa and the Harvest Moon Regatta.

The tall ship Elissa is a three-masted barque based in Galveston at Pier 21 and is one of the oldest ships sailing today. Launched in 1877, Elissa now is a museum ship at the Texas Seaport Museum. The ship was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

The Galveston Harvest Moon Regatta is a 150-nautical mile race that begins near the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier in the 2500 block of Seawall Boulevard and follows the Texas coast to Port Aransas over the course of two days and two nights — when the night sky is dominated by the beautiful harvest moon. Founded in 1987, the annual Harvest Moon Regatta event has grown from just fewer than 25 boats to more than 250.

Artwork by Joey Quiroga