National Shell Museum Hosting Martinis and Mollusks Celebration

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is proud to announce its 1st annual Martinis and Mollusks celebration, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 26 at the Museum.

The Museum has planned an exceptional evening of cocktails, individually-packaged meals, socially-distanced fellowship, and an exciting raffle. During the event, guests can tour the Museum and be wowed by the Giant Pacific Octopus, see record-breaking shells in the Great Hall, and enjoy the “H2O Art Exhibition,” on display until April 30th.

“It is a stimulating year at the National Shell Museum,” said José H. Leal, Ph.D., Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum Interim Director and Curator. “Our team is looking forward to welcoming our new Executive Director, Sam Ankerson, as he joins the Museum on March 16. The Martinis and Mollusks event will give us the opportunity to officially introduce Sam to our island community and hear him speak about his vision for the Museum’s bright future.”

The Museum continues to follow CDC protocols to help ensure its guests stay healthy and safe during their visit. To this end, there will be limited outdoor seating available during Martinis and Mollusks upon request, as well as a takeout option for those who prefer to support the Museum from a distance.

Event tickets just went on sale, and the commitment form can be found at ShellMuseum.org. Sponsorship packages are also available which help support the Museum’s work of caring for its animals, improving on its collection, and inspiring the next wave of ocean leaders through educational programming.

The Museum has been working to protect and preserve mollusks since its inception in 1995. There are more mollusks in the oceans than all marine mammals and fish species combined, but mollusks are becoming extinct due to climate change, ocean acidification, and pollution. In 2020, the Museum added living mollusks including octopuses, cuttlefish, giant clams, and squids to its large array of exhibits and extensive scientific collection, with the goal of better inspiring and educating its visitors and community about mollusks and their importance to global biodiversity.

For more information on Martinis and Mollusks, please contact Laura Shaffer at info@shellmuseum.org or (239) 395-2233.

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