Great Hall of Shells: Phase 1 is Open!

After almost three years of planning, design, and fabrication, the central exhibits area of the Great Hall of Shells is open to the public. The Hall had been closed since Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sanibel in September 2002. Actual harm from the storm to the exhibits was negligible, but repair to water damage to the walls required removal of many exhibits. The time was ripe for much-needed renovation anyway. Executive Director Sam Ankerson decided to tackle the challenge head-on.

Phase One of the Great Hall of Shells. Photo: José H. Leal

I hope you agree that the results far exceeded our (and the public’s) expectations. The design, by Matter Architecture (Brooklyn, New York), is clean and simple, and the black background on the cases make the shell colors pop! Make sure you check out the themed cases “Time and Evolution”, “Sculptures and Colors”, “Scallops”, “Volutes”, “Cones and Cowries”,  “Carrier Shells and Murexes”, and the two crescent-shaped “Global Distribution” displays. Phase Two is scheduled for later in the Summer. Many thanks to Sam for his decisive leadership in this project and to all who made the renovation possible!     

Lorraine Duerden (Rawls Art & Design) giving final touches to one of the"Global Distribution" displays. Photo: José H. Leal