The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History proudly announces the free opening of its unique in-house created exhibition Shells: The Elegant Armor of Mollusks on display from May 19 – October 28, 2023. This exhibition will open on Friday, May 19, 6:30 pm, with a presentation by Texas A&M University Professor, Dr. Mary Wicksten, followed by a reception and gallery viewing.

Dr. Wicksten will discuss fascinating stories behind the shells and other items on display, and provide visitors an entertaining biological introduction to the animals that create such elegant shell armor. The following opening reception will feature wine, appetizers, live music, gallery viewing, and a ribbon cutting ceremony of the Museum’s new Nodosaurus exhibit.

This beautiful exhibit highlights the Museum's own collection of exquisite shells, with many rarely on display. Stunning shells are artistically displayed along with rare books, fossil shells, artifacts, images, and elegant jewelry. Explore the biology and history of mollusks, while enjoying an exclusive display created in-house with the assistance of Texas A&M University's (TAMU) Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections; Cushing Memorial Library and Archives; Texas Parks & Wildlife Department; Brazos Valley African American Museum; and David Gardner's Jewelers.

A professor in the Biology Department at TAMU, Dr. Wicksten also serves as curator of the TAMU Collection of Marine Invertebrates, over 40,000 lots of specimens. She has published 135 scientific papers on marine life, a monograph on the crabs, shrimps, and lobsters of California; and the book, Vertical Reefs: Life on Oil and Gas Plaiforms in the Gulf of Mexico. A National Fellow of the Explorers Club, she has participated in expeditions to the Galapagos Islands, New Guinea, and numerous locations in the Caribbean and Pacific. Dr. Wicksten is an avid scuba diver and has logged over 1350 hours underwater.

The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History is committed to promoting science, and cultural and natural history with the integration of art in exhibits and educational programs. This exhibit was made possible in part through Hotel Tax Revenue funded from the City of College Station & the City of Bryan through the Arts Council of Brazos Valley.

Exhibition Dates: May 19, 2023 - October 28, 2023

Hours: Tues - Sat from 10 am - 5 pm.

Museum Admission fees: adults $5; seniors/students/children $4; members and children 3 and under are free.

Location:
The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History
3232 Briarcrest Drive
Bryan, Texas 77802?
Tel: (979) 776-2195

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