Nature Notes: Babcock Ranch Art Show; Shell Museum & Aquarium reopens
This year’s Babcock Ranch Art Show continues today, Sunday, and features 67 local and internationally acclaimed artists exhibiting along the Founder’s Square lakefront.
The juried show, now in its sixth year, includes artists from 18 states and Israel and represents the full spectrum of fine and visual arts – from painting, drawing, digital, 2D and 3D mixed media, metal, jewelry, photography, ceramic, glass, printmaking, sculpture, wearable and woodwork.
The 2024 Babcock Ranch Art Show is from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Sunday, March 10.
“The art show represents our ongoing commitment to making the arts accessible to everyone,” said Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners. “We believe art is fundamental to an engaged and vibrant community. So much so, we’re significantly expanding our cultural arts program in 2024, beginning with the introduction of Babcock Jams, a music program for residents, earlier this year.”
National Shell Museum & Aquarium re-opens Living Gallery of Aquariums
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel Island reopened its Living Gallery of Aquariums to the public on March 1.
The aquariums will house a robust mix of mollusks, corals, fish, and other marine life species as they did pre-hurricane, and there is also much that is new for visitors to enjoy. The surrounding exhibits have been significantly expanded to dive deeper into the biology and behavior of mollusks, the dynamics of their ecosystems, and challenges and successes of their conservation.
Species of marine life on exhibit beginning March 1 include Two-Spot Octopus, Flamingo Tongue, Disco Clam, Giant Clam, Queen Conch, and others. Select other species, such as the Giant Pacific Octopus, will be added in the near future.
“The goals of this undertaking were to grow the educational impact of the Museum, to add value and enjoyment to the visitor experience, and to create compelling, current displays,’’ said Executive Director Sam Ankerson.
Admission fees are reduced as the full restoration of the Museum experience is completed. Admission will be $10 for adults (18+), $5 for youth (5-17), and Free for museum members, children under 5, and active military. Open hours will be 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The Museum Store will also be open, with all proceeds supporting the rebuilding efforts and recovery.
Visitors are encouraged to visit ShellMuseum.org for additional news and progress updates.
Exotic Hibiscus Show & Plant Sale
The James E. Hendry Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society will hold their 71st Hibiscus Show & Plant Sale from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., April 6, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2439 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers.
Free admission and parking.
There will be 400 hybrid hibiscus plants for sale at $20 each. This delicate, beautiful plant grows abundantly in Florida's tropical climate and some blooms are the size of dinner plates!
These plants are grown in Sarasota at a wholesale nursery. Arriving early is the best chance of obtaining an exotic hibiscus plant of your choice.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Nature Notes: Babcock Ranch Art Show; Shell Museum & Aquarium reopens
