The St. Croix Seashell Society will have a Gala Opening for its first Seashell Exhibit and Seashell Art Show from 6-9 pm. on Friday, Jan. 23, at Fort Frederik, Frederiksted.
Local seashells will be on display as well as “sea art” from various local artists including: Tuna with his delightful shell paintings; local musical conch horn sculptor Brian Bishop with gorgeous “chaney;” ocean-inspired jewelry from Crucian Gold; Junie Bomba with his elegant new jewelry designs; Sue Snow with some of her West End ocean scenes, still lifes and “chaney” oil paintings; and many more paintings, jewelry, photos and crafts by artists including Elizabeth Keith, Laurie Ingersoll, Phyllis Charles, Elizabeth Robb, Kirsten Olsen, Marjorie Robbins, Lea Ann Robson, Matthew Fenske, Emily Weston, Tanya McPherson, Lily Alvarez and others.
Funding for the show has been provided in part by V.I. Council on the Arts, Friends of Fort Frederik and Mary E. Masters. Fiscal sponsorship has been provided by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development. Many thanks to Ingrid Bough, director of the V.I. Department of Parks and Natural Resources’ (DPNR) Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums, for providing the gallery space at the Fort and to DPNR Division of Fish and Wild Life for its cooperation in making this exhibit possible.
The Society is a newly formed group eager to create a museum space for the permanent display of local seashells. It is dedicated to community education and the appreciation of the treasures it finds in the seas. The Society calls out to all seashell collectors to share their shells with the public or to sponsor a shelf or display case. People may also create an exhibit from their families’ treasures through donation or loan of shells to the Society for exhibits.
The Seashell Exhibit and Seashell Art Sale will be open to the public during regular Fort Frederik hours through May 2015. There will be additional shows. Contact the St. Croix Seashell Society by e-mail: [email protected]