PHOTO GALLERY: Shell Chic — annual Marco Island show attracts big crowds

With exhibits ranging from the quaint to the quirky, and from the scholarly to the scientific, Marco Island’s annual shell show attracted hordes of people Thursday on the first of its three-day run.

Presented by the Marco Island Shell Club at the Presbyterian Church on Bald Eagle Drive, the 30th such show featured juried exhibits in two main divisions, scientific and artistic, as well as tons of trinkets, Christmas decorations, flower arrangements and novelty items — all made of shells, fish scales, barnacles and tiny bits of driftwood.

One of the catchiest items was a bird made of dried salmon skin, shells, barnacles, sea urchin spines and sponge.

It picked up a first place in one of the artistic sub-divisions.

Also a favorite was a tiny, one-inch representative of the Muricidae family, harvested nearly 30 years ago 80 feet down in a cave at Raspberry Reef, Bahamas. It took a first place in one of the scientific categories.

New Jersey part-time resident Judy Orgonas raved about the show, saying she likes to apply some of the ideas she picks up to her own creations.

Polly Hood of Cape Cod nosed around the retail section in the hall, picking up piece after piece which she said she uses for an annual scholarship fund-raiser back home.

Appropriately, she said, the scholarships — through the Fairhaven Improvement Association — are for students who show an interest in marine biology.

Workshop chair for the event, Shirley Prushko, said exhibitors come in from all over the country.

Early birds each morning don’t necessarily scoop the worms either, she said, because reserve inventory replaces sold items as they disappear off the shelves.

The show runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday. An entry donation of $2 per person is requested.

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