Celebrating Five Years at Tribby Arts Center
Community, connection, and creative engagement are among the strongest predictors of healthy aging, and at Shell Point, Tribby Arts Center brings together all three. As a hub for cultural activity, the Tribby nurtures the creative spirit, engages the mind, and offers residents countless ways to stay inspired and involved.
From the beginning, residents have made art a part of life at Shell Point. First came makeshift studios on The Island, where painters, potters, photographers, glass artists, and others found room to work, while Shell Point’s long-running concert series was held at The Village Church.
Over the years, those early arrangements sparked resident conversations and an idea for a cultural center. In 2017, the groundbreaking Ageless Creativity resident art exhibition at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers put the depth of Shell Point residents’ artistic talent on full display.
Inspired by what they saw, President Martin Schappell and Shell Point leadership worked with the Legacy Foundation at Shell Point to invite residents to help bring the vision of a creative hub to life. With a generous lead gift from Maggie Tribby, extraordinary resident support, and years of planning, Tribby Arts Center opened in 2021. Five years later, it is hard to imagine Shell Point without it.
Gallery Exhibitions Showcase Unique Artwork
Curated by resident volunteer Marge Lee, more than 64 Tribby exhibitions have presented the talents of both Shell Point resident artists and nationally known guest artists, showcasing painting, sculpture, pottery, glasswork, photography, woodwork, literary works, textiles—and even hubcaps!
In 2024, On the Road Again featured 262 works created from discarded hubcaps by artists around the world and remains the Tribby’s largest exhibition to date.
The Tribby’s original galleries include the Shell Point Gallery on the first floor and the Overlook and Legacy Galleries on the second floor. All display art year-round, including an annual exhibition that honors resident artists whose work and support of Shell Point’s arts community have been exemplary.
Today, gallery space has expanded to include the Corridor Galleries on both floors of the Tribby, as well as a Youth Gallery that often showcases work by young student artists from The Heights Center.
Two upcoming exhibitions are planned to honor the Tribby’s fifth anniversary. Opening in August, Poster Power will exhibit a retrospective of most of the posters designed by Shell Point’s creative marketing team to promote Tribby exhibitions since its opening.
In the Shell Point Gallery, High Five! will display the annual juried and judged all-resident exhibition that includes both art and literary entries from November through December.
Legendary Performances at Connie Brown Hall
The Tribby has welcomed more than 175 world-class entertainers, internationally acclaimed musicians, and talented regional and local artists in the 400-seat Connie Brown Hall since its opening.
Concerts by faculty and staff from The Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University and performances by Gulfshore Ballet also strengthen Shell Point’s community ties.
Resident performing arts groups like the Shell Point Singers, Shell Point Players, and resident musician groups have found a home and expanded their audiences in Connie Brown Hall as well.
Residents also gather there for Sunday Cinema Matinees. A resident-led committee curates a selection of films from classic to contemporary. Each season, the group hosts a luncheon event centered around epic cinematic masterpieces like Gone with the Wind or Doctor Zhivago.
Volunteers staff the Tribby Box Office, serve as ushers for performances and events, support our sound and lighting engineers, and help manage backstage needs.
“The Tribby would not be what it is today without our volunteers. From the Box Office to backstage, they bring an incredible amount of energy and dedication to everything that happens here.”
“The Tribby would not be what it is today without our volunteers,” said Jon High, Director of Resident Life. “From the Box Office to backstage, they bring an incredible amount of energy and dedication to everything that happens here. Their willingness to show up and give their time is one of the things that makes the Tribby feel like it truly belongs to this community.”
Studios and The Arts Library
All Tribby studios were designed with resident input. The visual arts spaces include the quilting, glass, pottery, and crafts studios on the first floor and the painting and photography studios on the second floor.
A performing arts studio suite with an ensemble room, practice rooms, and instrument storage space is located on the second floor, and a performing arts studio space complete with mirrors and a barre is housed on the first floor.
Studios are led by resident volunteers who coordinate activities and invite guest speakers to inspire the groups or teach new techniques. Residents create art for themselves, respond to in-studio challenges, or participate in Tribby gallery exhibitions.
While some residents continue their artistic passions or reignite a longtime interest in the arts, others have discovered a brand-new way to express their creativity in Tribby studios.
Doug Heatherly is a great example of the latter. “No single place at Shell Point has changed my life as profoundly as the Tribby,” he said. “I had never tried pottery before, and I learned everything I needed to know from two great mentors: the late June Lockhart and Mike Klein, who is now 106!”
The Tribby Conference Room permanently showcases sculptures created by June and Mike.
In the Tribby Arts Library, staffed by resident volunteers, residents can explore an impressive collection of nearly 2,000 titles of books and periodicals that cater to every creative interest, from ancient art forms to contemporary masterpieces.
The volunteer-led Great Artists Series invites art enthusiasts to enjoy an in-depth look at master painters and sculptors. Last season’s offerings included Michelangelo, Picasso, Russell, and O’Keeffe, among others.
Serendipity Gift Shop and the Sculpture Collection
Within the volunteer-managed and staffed Serendipity gift shop in the Shell Point Gallery, sales of jewelry, artwork, cards, and more help support Tribby operations.
Open five days a week and some evenings prior to performances in Connie Brown Hall, Serendipity also provides resident artists with an avenue to showcase and sell their work, a partnership that benefits the artist and the Tribby alike.
Art also defines the spaces in and around Tribby Arts Center. An outdoor garden features three bronze sculptures by Steven Dickey, including a life-size bronze of Maggie Tribby with her beloved companion, Gracie, near the Tribby’s entrance.
There’s also a kinetic aluminum sculpture by the late renowned artist Lin Emery. Whimsical benches by Doug Hays feature meaningful measures from music selected by their donors, and inside the Tribby Atrium, a pair of colorful kinetic sculptures by Andrew Carson welcomes guests.
Artist-in-Residence and Arts as Healing
Tribby programs enrich our community’s cultural life and create opportunities for connection. Each year, the Tribby welcomes a distinguished musician or ensemble for an extended stay that includes a featured concert.
The artists are also invited to engage residents through meaningful experiences, from Concert & Conversation programs offered through the Academy of Lifelong Learning to master classes for members of the Musicians’ Guild and intimate performances for residents in Assisted Living, Connected Living, and Larsen Health Center.
The mission of Arts as Healing is to encourage, coordinate, and advance the healing power of the arts at Shell Point for body, mind, and spirit.
As a key part of its mission, Arts as Healing brings the arts to friends and neighbors who may not otherwise have the same access. Visits to the Tribby feature private gallery showings, performances by guest artists as well as resident musicians with the support of the Musicians Guild, and hands-on artistic projects with studio volunteers.
A Culture of Philanthropy at Tribby Arts Center
Tribby Arts Center was made possible thanks to the generosity of Maggie Tribby and all the residents whose names appear on the Donor Wall of Honor in the Atrium and on dedication plaques next to spaces throughout the building.
The same philanthropic spirit that gave the Tribby its start continues today. By contributing to the Tribby and sponsoring exhibitions and concerts as individuals, couples, or groups, resident donors illustrate the power of a shared commitment to the arts.
“We owe such gratitude to Maggie Tribby and the many other residents for the financial support that helped make this arts center possible,” said Marge Lee. “Some of their names are on the walls, objects, and plaques throughout the Tribby and its landscape. Thanks to these founding donors, as well as those who now continue their legacy of generosity, Tribby Arts Center enriches our lives through the arts every day. It is, truly, an amazing gift.”
In addition to various individual donors who have generously supported the Tribby, three organized groups also do the same.
Guys Who Give now counts 38 resident members among its ranks. Since its formation in 2022 by Dick Boehning and Ken Saccaro, the group has sponsored concerts and exhibitions and matched funds for improvements in the Tribby studios and Connie Brown Hall. The group is also largely responsible for bringing the prestigious National Geographic Live series to Shell Point.
“Everyone who frequents the Tribby is amazed at the quality of the shows that we offer during the season, and it is reflected in most shows being sold out.”
“I am so very proud of what we have accomplished together,” said Ken. “Everyone who frequents the Tribby is amazed at the quality of the shows that we offer during the season, and it is reflected in most shows being sold out. We give back to help enhance the lives of our fellow Shell Point residents.”
That same commitment is helping Guys Who Give look beyond individual programs and invest in the Tribby’s long-term future.
“We started an endowment fund about three years ago, and slowly but surely, it’s growing,” said Chuck Ketteman. “Before long, we will reach our $5 million goal, creating a lasting source of support for Tribby Arts Center.”
In addition to support from Guys Who Give, Classical Circle provides stable funding for classical concerts and performances, which is an important part of musical programming for the Tribby’s engaged, culturally curious audience.
To help enhance the listening experience for those who might not be as familiar with classical music, the group made a strategic decision to invest in program notes by Aaron Grad, a professional musician, program annotator, and reviewer.
“Over the past five years, we have built the reputation of the Tribby within the world of classical music, so we’re able to secure the very best performers,” said Penny Wilkinson, who brought the group together. “We’re proud of that. Classical musicians who are really top notch want to play where other top-notch players have played. The way you do that is by building a reputation for your program and your venue.”
Classical Circle looks forward to another outstanding season this year, featuring a record seven world-class performances. Highlights include London’s Academy of St. Martin in the Fields chamber ensemble; the Pacifica Quartet, one of America’s most celebrated ensembles and recipient of the Naumburg Chamber Music Award and the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant; and internationally acclaimed Canadian violinists Timothy and Nikki Chooi, whose credits include the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and top honors at the Queen Elisabeth and Michael Hill competitions.
In addition to Guys Who Give and Classical Circle, The Rockin’ Sisters sponsors a standout concert from the Tribby’s Pop lineup.
“It’s a fun way to support the Tribby and bring some of our favorite music to Shell Point,” said Mary Buck. “We can’t wait for So Good: The Neil Diamond Experience concert we’re sponsoring as the season opener with Guys Who Give, and the Butch Wax & The Hollywoods concert next year.”
“We are so grateful to all our individual donors; resident groups like Guys Who Give, Classical Circle, and The Rockin’ Sisters; and our corporate partners, including FineMark Bank & Trust, a Division of Commerce Bank, who sponsored the 2025-2026 season, and Florida Trust Wealth Management, sponsors of the Encore series and the upcoming 2026-2027 season,” said Jason Smith, Vice President of Amenities.
“This amazing community makes it all possible. Thank you to every Tribby donor, concert and exhibition sponsor, volunteer, and audience member who has been part of the Tribby’s success.”
See current exhibitions, shows, and studio artists’ work at https://tribbyartscenter.com/
