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Special Exhibitions
OPEN DURING REGULAR MUSEUM HOURS WITH PAID ADMISSION

Adorned by the Sea: Shells in Fashion 

CURRENTLY ON VIEW

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Throughout time and around the world, shells have been used to elevate and adorn. From ancient cultures to contemporary runway couture, using shells as decorative motifs, carving them into ornamental shapes, and even attaching them in their natural form has transformed ordinary textiles into extraordinary garments. Shells have been used to represent value, nature, and even faith. Adorned by the Sea: Shells in Fashion examines the diverse uses of sea shells and mollusks to enhance our appearance and dress.
 
From the most expensive purple dyes made with snails to the most conceptual catwalk fantasies made of razor clams and mussels, with works spanning centuries and including a wide variety of designers from unnamed indigenous artists to Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, and Gucci, Adorned by the Sea offers a complete overview of how we have amplified our own image by borrowing from the wonders of marine life.

Made possible by a grant from the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation and a gift from Mark and Kathy Helge.
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In the Wake of the Flood: Community Photographs of Hurricane Ian and Its Aftermath

ONLINE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

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photo credit: Stephen Plein / New Wave Eco Charters

Hurricane Ian and its aftermath have been, and continue to be, uniquely powerful and life-changing experiences for millions of people, and perhaps especially so for those residents of hard-hit areas of Southwest Florida. Stories and images of the storm can be fierce, frightening, and sad. But courage, resilience, and hope are also hallmarks of the response to Hurricane Ian by so many communities. 

In the Wake of the Flood is an exhibition of photographs taken by people in hurricane-impacted areas including Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, and elsewhere. They reflect a wide range of personal perspectives and experiences, and a community’s collective view of this major event. Accompanying the images are statements by the photographers of why their image has meaning or significance to them. 

In the Wake of the Flood was open at the Museum February 1 – April 28, 2023.

After reconstruction work began at the Museum, the exhibition was moved to the Sanibel Public Library, located at 770 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957. 

Photographs from the display are available below, and will also be added to Sanibel Public Library's digital archive, located online at sanlib.org/digitalarchive. 

Questions? Please e-mail ianphoto@shellmuseum.org
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