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RSW Living Magazine

Artful Living: Tribby Arts Center Opens at Shell Point Retirement Community

May 07, 2021 02:57PM ● By LYNN SCHNEIDER

The Southwest Florida region is known for its natural environment and scenic beauty, but in addition to the lovely beaches and parks, there is a vibrant cultural climate in the area as well. When it’s time to take a break from the beach or pool, all of the locals, snowbirds and tourists who enjoy viewing fine art, attending concerts or pursuing lifelong learning will enjoy visiting the Tribby Arts Center at Fort Myers-based Shell Point Retirement Community.

Tribby Arts Center is a two-level, 44,000-square-foot arts center located in the Coastal Links neighborhood of Shell Point. “Tribby Arts Center is a wonderful addition to the many amenities that we have at Shell Point,” notes Martin Schappell, president of Shell Point Retirement Community.

“The purpose of the new Tribby Arts Center is to nurture the creative spirit and engage the mind,” Schappell adds. “This building will be a hub for creative activity and cultural programming at Shell Point.”

The building includes a grand entrance and atrium, three art galleries and multiple practice rooms for music, dance and performing arts. It features special­ized studios for painting, pottery, quilt­ing, textiles, stained-glassmaking, crafting and photography. The Tribby Arts Center also offers a literary lounge and arts library—plus it is home to Connie Brown Hall, a state-of-the-art 400-seat theater that will feature concerts and other live performances.

According to Michael Weiss, fine and performing arts manager at Shell Point Retirement Community, the Tribby Arts Center will offer visual and performing arts, and educational programming through The Academy of Lifelong Learning at Shell Point. It will also provide multiple spaces for Shell Point artists to work.

Weiss explains, “Although the studios will be for resident use only, the art galleries, café, sculpture garden and Connie Brown Hall will be open to the public once the pandemic has ended.” 

Additionally, the three art galleries will host a wide variety of exhibitions by Shell Point artists, as well as local, regional and nationally known artists. Other features include the Tribby Café, and Serendipity: The Shop at Tribby Arts Center. The shop will sell works created by artists and by artisans.

The Tribby Arts Center joins the long list of lifestyle amenities at Shell Point Retirement Community. These amenities include a champion­ship 18-hole golf course with an elegantly appointed clubhouse, and free boat docks with deep-water access to the Gulf of Mexico. Also featured are coastal-inspired restaurants, charming out­door cafés, luxurious salons and spas, fit­ness centers, tennis and pickleball, and miles of scenic walking and bike trails.


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