She Sells Sea Shell Art at the Holiday Shell Art Sale

There is something very addictive about combing the shoreline looking for seashells. According to experts, usually the best time is at low tide or after a storm, but the guaranteed best way to find your favorite local shell is at the Annual Marco Island Shell Club Holiday Shell Art Sale.

On Saturday, November 24th, a big crowd of shell lovers gathered early outside The New Life Community Church and filled their baskets with shells turned into holiday ornaments, jewelry, home décor, and accessories, with all the proceeds to benefit the Shell Club’s Scholarship and Educational Programs.

Cindy Wesolowski, President of the Marco Island Shell Club, confirmed that the Holiday Shell Art Sale had a good turnout saying, “As a 501(C)3 nonprofit we depend on the proceeds of our Holiday and Spring sales to fund our Scholarship and Education Grants and with this event we raised almost $10,000 to help fund those programs. Since its inception, the Marco Island Shell Club has given out over $150,000 in scholarships and grants.”

According to Karen Caster, Scholarships and Grants Chair for the Marco Island Shell Club, “the club also has two endowed scholarships at the Florida Gulf Coast University and they continue to provide, each year, one undergraduate research scholarship and one graduate competitive research scholarship to students majoring in marine or environmental science, who will hopefully be our future researchers, teachers and scientists.”

Grace Markell, an FGCU junior majoring in marine science research, was the undergraduate recipient, and Robert Smith, a graduate student, is interested in marine science and water quality research. Robert is in his second year of his Environmental Science Master of Science program.

In addition, grants are also available to teachers and educators working with children from PreK through high school, according to Caster. One example of such a program is the St. Mark’s Preschool program on Marco. Their activity was an Introduction to Seashells. The materials requested included four Preschool level books about seashells with beautiful pictures for the young children to enjoy.  

Also requested are charts of local seashells with pictures and the names of shells and an assortment of shells to match the chart. Caster believes that an early introduction to this topic may start an interest in future careers for some children who may want to study mollusk, marine sciences and water studies. 

A popular shell learning experience was funded with grants for the Mollusks on the Move program through the Bailey’s National Shell Museum. The Museum sends a van to the school with shells and live shell animals in tanks. According to Caster, most children have never seen a live shell or had a chance to experience the beach. Caster added,” “this year, we will fund Marco Island Academy’s marine science classes in April and two other schools in Naples, and the children will remember this hands-on experience.”

Caster had over 23 years in Special Education and Early Childhood Education and also taught college classes to future teachers in early education. She is very passionate about providing young children a strong start which has proven to help children develop stronger skills and more success through school and life.

If you missed the Holiday Shell Sale, Caster suggested these preschool books on shells that are perfect for the visiting grandkids or added to your holiday list!

A Shell is Cozy by Dianna Hutts Aston

Beachcombers Guide to Gulf Coast Shells by Jeanne L. Murphy and Brian W. Lane

Next Time You See a Seashell by Emily Morgan, 

Shells: A Pop-Up Book of Wonder (4 Seasons of Pop-Up) by Janet Lawler.

Grant applications are now available on the website focusing on activities that promote the study, conservation, science, history and appreciation of seashells and mollusks in all their forms. Applications are due by March 8th. For more information, visit marcoislandshellclub.com.

Save the date for the 2024 Spring Expo and Shell Art Sale on March 8th and 9th, 2024, at the New Life Community Church on Marco.