Art,
  How expensive can it be to put out a few shells!?  Oh, how you can open
a can of worms.  Even your flying pigs would pale in comparison to a
debate over this one!
  I find that the folks who plan and execute the exhibits (no, they are
not necessarily the scientific group) are trained in some fairly
sophisticated methods of planning, designing and constructing
exhibits...and these exhibits come at a price.  Things such as type style
for labels, readability levels of the text, lighting levels all come into
play.  then there is selcting lighting that will not fade or degrade the
specimens exhibited.  Then there is the artistic arrangement of the
specimens, text, and other supporting materials. now, what about the shape
and composition of the display cases, the color of the background,
carpets, walls?  Ceiling lights or skylights?
  What do we want to teach with the exhibit?  What message do we want
people to walk away with?  How do we keep the attention of a grade school
student, a high school student and an adult with the same exhibit?  How do
we design it so as to keep them from just walking through and not really
taking in the message?
  Who writes the text...curators, docents, educators, or exhibits
personnel? It goes on, and on, and on.......This is why exhibits are
planned over years and do not change frequently.
  Museum invest in their exhibits....they don't just throw up a few
displays and hope things work out.  It is probably easier for us at shell
shows. We have an audience who is there to see shells.  the general museum
population is more diverse and I doubt as passionate about the exhibits
that they see.
  Would I like to see the exhibits and educations folk bend a bit and
consider playing with the concept of a few short term displays?  Sure, but
I won't hold me breath.
Charlie
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Charlie Sturm, Jr
Research Associate - Section of Invertebrate Zoology
                     Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA
Assistant Professor - Family Medicine

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