Marco Island Shell Club Prepares for 2027 Season

The Marco Island Shell Club is preparing for its 2027 season with a full calendar of creative workshops, educational seminars, excursions for Shell Club Members, and shell art sales designed to bring together residents and visitors who share an interest in shells, mollusks, and the coastal environment.

The organization’s annual season begins in early November and continues through March, with programs that bring education, artistry and philanthropy together. Activities are designed for longtime collectors as well as people newly interested in shell identification, shell art, and marine conservation.

The club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, welcomes shell enthusiasts at all levels of interest and expertise. Its mission is to promote the study, conservation, history, science, and appreciation of seashells and mollusks, while also encouraging related pursuits such as shell collecting, crafting, and shell art.

Weekly shell art workshops held during January, February, and early March are a central part of the club’s season. During these gatherings, members create shell art projects that become the property of the club and are later sold at public events. Proceeds from those sales help underwrite scholarships, grants, and educational programs, linking the club’s creative activities directly to its philanthropic mission.

In addition to weekly workshops, the season includes informative seminars, varied excursions for Shell Club members, and a late-March end-of-year celebration and annual meeting for members. Together, these programs give members opportunities to learn more about shells, marine life, conservation topics, and the broader natural history of the region.

That educational focus extends beyond the club’s seasonal programs through scholarships and grants that support students and community learning tied to marine sciences and coastal stewardship.

Scholarship and grant applications for the 2027/2028 academic year are available through the club’s website at www.marcoislandshellclub.com. Last year, the Marco Island Shell Club awarded five scholarships to students studying marine sciences, and club leaders will offer additional scholarships again this year.

Interest in the scholarship program continues to grow, with last year bringing the largest number of applicants in recent years. The students who applied have demonstrated strong academic records as well as involvement in internships, campus clubs, volunteer work and athletics, reflecting the wide range of commitments many students balance while pursuing higher education.

By supporting students majoring in marine sciences, the club aims to invest in the future of Florida’s waters, coastal ecosystems and marine wildlife. The scholarship program also reflects the organization’s broader commitment to education, stewardship, and the long-term protection of the natural resources that help define Southwest Florida.

The club hosts two major fundraisers each year to support its scholarship and grant programs. The Holiday Shell Art Sale is held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving, while the Spring Expo and Shell Art Sale take place during the second weekend in March. Both events are held at New Life Community Church on Marco Island and feature member-created shell art along with seashell specimens and educational opportunities for the community.

Funds raised through the sales help sustain the club’s annual scholarships, grants, and educational initiatives. More information about upcoming events, scholarship and grant applications, workshops, membership, and seminars is available at www.marcoislandshellclub.com or on Facebook at MarcoIsland_ShellClub.