Marco Island Gallery

More Than 6,000 ShellsAST Exhibits prides itself on attention to details. The shells used to build this Calusa Temple mound were carefully researched, thoroughly cleaned and applied one at a time by hand.

Calusa Village ExhibitAST Exhibits created this life size Calusa village for the Marco Island History Museum.

The masks made for this exhibit were created from archeological records. The paint schemes and colors were chosen to look as if they were freshly painted.

Calusa MasksThe masks made for this exhibit were created from archeological records. The paint schemes and colors were chosen to look as if they were freshly painted.

Freshly-cut native cypress lumber was dried at the AST Exhibits facility in a kiln built specifically for this project.

Cypress Plank Foot BridgeFreshly-cut native cypress lumber was dried at the AST Exhibits facility in a kiln built specifically for this project.

The rustic cypress structures of the Calusa stand in stark contrast to the glossy wood finishes seen across the room in the "soon to be built" exhibit featuring Spanish Exploration.

Two Cultures Will Soon MeetThe rustic cypress structures of the Calusa stand in stark contrast to the glossy wood finishes seen across the room in the "soon to be built" exhibit featuring Spanish Exploration.

Custom Built Cannon Display TableAST Exhibits designed and built this table to securely display a 16th Century Spanish versos cannon.

Calusa Tools & Fishing NetsCalusa style shell tools were researched and recreated by the AST art team.

Grass BasketsHand-woven baskets made from local grasses were commissioned by AST Exhibits to complete this scene.

The gaps between the rough hewn cypress planks of the bridge appear to be caked with mud and sand. If you look closely you may even see some small animal

Calusa Foot Bridge DetailsThe gaps between the cypress planks of the bridge appear to be caked with mud and sand. If you look closely you may even see some small animal footprints.

SunsetThe Calusa relied on the sea for survival. Along the West wall our Calusa village meets the Gulf waters.

Calusa Foot BridgeA key element of the design called for an ADA accessible pathway across a footbridge that spanned a small creek.

AST Exhibits developed a technique that offers the texture and appearance of loose beach sand but is, in fact, a solid surface. This "sand" can be cleaned with a vacuum!

SandAST Exhibits developed a technique that offers the texture and appearance of loose beach sand but is, in fact, a solid surface. This "sand" can be cleaned with a vacuum!

Bridge Over Still WaterAST Exhibits hand-selected native cypress lumber to construct structural aspects of the Calusa exhibit.

Chickee HutThe Calusa built chickee huts like these for social activities. Our chickee huts had to be flame retardant and include sprinklers.

Transitions from one construction medium to another offer many challenges. Our background in theatrical design allows us to seamlessly blend several techniques into one another.

Shells, Sand, Water & WeedsTransitions from one construction medium to another offer many challenges. Our background in theatrical design allows us to seamlessly blend several techniques into one another.

Calusa Daily Life Interrupted by Modern ArchitectureOne particular obstacle this room presented was a roof support column in the dead center of the exhibit space. Can you find it?

Baskets and PotteryCalusa pottery was basic in form and fired in a smoky pit covered with palms. You can actually smell the smoke on our replicas!

Chickee Hut or Tiki Hut?Nowadays a hut must be built by a member of the Seminole tribe to be called Chickee. Otherwise it is a Tiki Hut.

Calusa Shell Mound TempleOur shell mound is hollow inside but strong enough to support the weight of two automobiles.

To "dress up" bare walls in an undeveloped section of the museum, AST Exhibits built and installed large decorative panels of fabric and bamboo plywood.

Decorative Wall PanelsTo "dress up" bare walls in an undeveloped section of the museum, AST Exhibits built and installed large decorative panels of fabric and bamboo plywood.