After a day of sun, sea, and sand, Southwest Florida residents and visitors may be interested in exploring the cultural offerings available nearby. Tribby Arts Center is a hub of creative activity at Shell Point just minutes from the Sanibel Causeway—and Shell Point welcomes visitors to experience all the Tribby has to offer.
 
Located in the Coastal Links neighborhood of the Shell Point retirement community, the two-level, 44,000-square-foot Tribby Arts Center greets guests with a grand entrance and atrium. Inside they will find a variety of art, musical, theatrical, and educational programs.

The Tribby includes a trio of art galleries showcasing work from Shell Point residents, along with regional and national artists. A focal point in the Tribby is Connie Brown Hall, a 400-seat theater with state-of-the-art acoustics offering concerts and live performances year-round. Before a concert or lecture, guests can enjoy conversation and coffee with friends in the Tribby Café or browse Serendipity, the Tribby gift shop.

Residents of Shell Point also have access to studios for painting, pottery, quilting, textiles, glassmaking, crafting, and photography. There are multiple practice rooms for music, dance, and performing arts, along with a literary lounge and an extensive arts library. “The Tribby’s goal is to nurture creativity and engage the mind through programs in the visual, literary, and performing arts,” says Shell Point president Martin Schappell.

AROUND THE GALLERIES

The Tribby’s three distinct art galleries host exhibitions curated to entertain and educate. A pair of exhibitions open through October include “Unconfined Creativity: Works from the Prison Art Project” and “Imagine That!”, with dazzling resident artworks created in the Tribby’s glass and pottery studios. “Flora & Fauna, Expressions of Nature” opens in November, featuring guest artist potter Martha Grattan of South Carolina, who joins Shell Point resident artists to create a magical world of animals, insects, flowers, and foliage.

Upcoming exhibitions include “Fanciful! Art that Makes You Smile” with creations by guest artist Katie Gardenia and residents, and “The Color of Air” with artwork by the Sanibel-Captiva Art League. The coming season will also see the return of favorite artful Shell Point events such as the annual holiday bazaar in November and February’s 2D art show and sale.

Tribby Arts Center’s permanent sculpture collection features bronze and metal works in the outdoor Schlackman Sculpture Garden, while colorful kinetic sculptures in the atrium evoke Florida’s beautiful landscape. A pair of sculptures displayed on the second level represent the talent of Shell Point’s resident artists.

ON THE STAGE

For music lovers, Tribby Arts Center offers an array of Connie Brown Hall concerts including big band, swing, jazz, pop, classical, bluegrass, folk, and country. Early fall features the Sanibel Duo, Southwest Florida Symphony String Quartet, and the Ben Rosenblum Trio. Season heats up in November with Herb Bruce & the Herbicide Jazz Band and the Georgia Players Guild’s homage to Creedence Clearwater Revival. The new year brings an Eagles tribute band with “Hotel California,” the sounds of Simon & Garfunkel with “Live in Central Park [Revisited],” and more.
 
Tribby Arts Center has added theater to the mix this year with upcoming productions of Driving Miss Daisy, Botanic Garden, and Love Letters, a tender and unforgettable love story featuring Florida Repertory Theatre artistic director Greg Longenhagen and his wife, local theater professional Liz Abbott.

Shell Point’s Academy of Lifelong Learning presents educational and informative programming on history, the arts, wellness, travel, and technology with local professors, expert presenters, and professional speakers.


Lynn Schneider is the director of marketing at Fort Myers-based Shell Point Retirement Community. 

IF YOU GO

Tribby Arts Center
17281 On Par Blvd., Fort Myers
239-415-5667; TribbyArtsCenter.com