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 the 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 - 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

Ginny Beeby

Jennifer Berlin

Steven Brooks

Ondie Constable

Roy Cooper

Esther Jones

Dorothy Koliba

Carol Kroegel

Iris Peters

Anthony Therrien

Pam Webb

• 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, 1pm - Featured Presentation, join PICS president Jim Boggs as he premiers a new slideshow presentation about the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and our efforts in supporting the Refuge. The presentation will take place on the second floor IR Lagoon NEP office, adjacent to the art show. Come enjoy the presentation and stay for the artists’ reception immediately following.

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.

October 10, 6:45 to 8pm - Owl Prowl with David Simpson - birding expert David Simpson will lead an evening owl walk in the North Sebastian Conservation Area. Please meet David at the parking lot for the Sebastian Art Club at 1245 Main Street in Sebastian, adjacent to the Old Schoolhouse, where the Art Show is taking place. Reservations are required at $30/person - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

October 11, 8 to 10am - Scrub Jay Walk with David Simpson - birding expert David Simpson will lead a morning walk in the North Sebastian Conservation Area to see Scrub Jays in their native scrub habitat. The NSCA is part of the City of Sebastian’s Habitat Conservation Plan, protecting the Jays’ unique habitat requirements. Please meet David ins the parking lot for the Sebastian Art Club at 1245 Main Street in Sebastian, adjacent to the Old Schoolhouse, where the Art Show is taking place. Reservations are required at $30/person - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Please note that the facility where the Art Show takes places also houses the Sebastian Area Historical Museum. They plan to be open extended hours and days during our event and allow for visitation while at the show. They have a wealth of information and artifacts, including a section just about Pelican Island. Please be sure to stop by to visit them, as well.

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

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 Fridays of each 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.