Opening Reception Friday, February 27th, 5-7 PM

The Bailey Art Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition entitled “a shell called the Neptune—” featuring artworks inspired by the wildlife and landscape of Florida. The opening reception will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 3:00 pm.

The exhibition takes its title from “The Gift” – a poem by the late, Hobe Sound-based, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver, whose writing reflects close observation of nature and a deep respect for the living world.

Participating artists include Michaelann Bellerjeau, Kimberly Beltrame, Mallo Bisset, Deborah Bottorff, Sally Pearson Browning, Adrienne Davis, Torenzo Gann, Meredith Graf Owens, Leslie Hanner, Denise Jackson, Helga Jensen-Ruopp, Chris Kling, Tina Kraft, Karen Leffel-Massengill, Susan Martin, Mary Lou Pults, Jane Saull, Jordan Silvia, Kirsty Smith-Innis and Laura Steinhauer.

All twenty participating artists are based in Florida’s Treasure Coast region. Their works depict local environments, native wildlife, and marine ecosystems, offering insight into the biodiversity and natural character of the coastal area. By presenting artistic interpretations of the natural world, the exhibition demonstrates how art can serve as an educational tool – encouraging environmental awareness, ecological understanding, and thoughtful reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature.

For additional information or questions regarding the exhibition, please contact Maureen Mahony at maureen@maureenmahony.com, or by phone at (718) 312-9331.

“The Gift” by Mary Oliver. Reprinted by the permission of The Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency as agent for the author. Copyright © 2008, 2017 by Mary Oliver with permission of Bill Reichblum.