INDIAN RIVER BIRD & NATURE ART SHOW

12th Annual Indian River Bird & Nature Art Show
October 10-17, 2026

The Pelican Island Conservation Society is sponsoring the twelfth annual Indian River Bird & Nature Art Show in conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 10-17, 2026. This year’s event will be hosted by the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, at their facility in the old Sebastian Public School at 1235 Main Street, Sebastian. Be sure to get out and visit the Pelican Island NWR, or your favorite refuge during NWR Week, or anytime!

This is a juried show and the artwork will be for sale, which supports the artists and PICS - thank you for your support! The show will be open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm. In addition, the show will be open Saturday, October 10th and 17th - please see the full events schedule below.

Please note, all artwork will be sold “virtually” at this year’s show. A listing of the artists and each piece of work will be provided below when it is entered. A link to each item/artwork with more information, a description of the work, and the option to purchase will be provided. If a piece has already been sold, it will show not available for sale. At the show gallery, each artwork label will also include a QR code that will link to this same information and an item may be purchased at that time, if available. Once purchased, the work will remain in the show but no longer show available for sale. All items purchased are to be picked up at the end of the show at the NEP office, on Sunday, October 18, between 1 and 4pm. If you are not able to comply with any of these requirements, alternative arrangements may be possible by contacting PICS at 772-202-0697. President Theodore Roosevelt answers our calls so please leave him a message - thanks!

Please note that images of artwork are intentionally not high-quality, in order to protect the rights of each artist.

Art Entry Form - (link coming) to download a copy of information for artists about show rules, requirements, and entry application. Additional information about the show will be posted on the IR Bird & Nature Art Show Facebook page as it becomes available.

Similarly, the National Wildlife Federation celebrated of National Wildlife Week with a “Color Me Wild!” feature on their website. Visit them at https://nationalwildlifeweek.nwf.org/2026 for information about colorful critters and activities for kids.

Participating Artists

Gallery links and additional artists coming soon.

• Event Schedule

The show is being held at the IR Lagoon NEP office at 1235 Main Street, Sebastian

October 10 through 17 - Art Show exhibit, Second Floor, IR Lagoon NEP office. The Sebastian Area Historical Museum is located on the ground floor of the old school, as well. Plan to stop in and visit them - they have limited open hours, check their website for more info or call 772-581-1380.

October 10, 2 to 4pm - Artists’ Reception will be held in the show gallery at the NEP office with presentation of awards for winning artworks. The public is invited and light refreshments will be served.

Additional activities and tours may be planned as we celebrate the Pelican Island NWR and National Wildlife Refuge Week. Details will be posted on our Calendar as they become available.

National Wildlife Refuge Week

** Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge update - as of today, the Pelican Island NWR is open for visiting, but due to lack of appropriations funding, staff and volunteers are not allowed to access the Refuge. This will continue until action is taken by Congress to provide funding, which is required for Refuge staff and volunteers to participate in any activities in celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week, as described next. **

October 10-17, 2026 - The Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the nation’s first Refuge, established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, will be celebrating the National Wildlife Refuge Week with volunteers onsite to provide information and answer questions, on Friday and Saturday of that week. In addition, they will be available to assist those needing transport to reach some of the viewing areas along the trails. You may wish to check their Facebook page for possible updates and information, at www.facebook.com/PelicanIslandNWR.

Pelican Island Wine and Cheese Cruise

We may hold a sunset cruise to Pelican Island this year. In the meantime you may enjoy some photos from previous cruises below.

The video below is a slideshow of photos taken on the Sunset Cruise to Pelican Island, during the 2019 IR Birding Fest & Nature Art show, by PICS member Sandy Peterson.  Wildlife seen on the trip included brown and white pelicans, white and glossy ibis, great blue herons, cormorants, black vultures, wood storks, white egrets, osprey and dolphin.  The tour was led by Master Naturalist Heather Stapleton.