Matsumoto creates custom illustration for Taste of the Islands logo

CROW

The 2010 Taste of the Islands event logo featuring a custom illustration by Ikki Matsumoto.

Renowned artist Ikki Matsumoto, of Buckingham and formerly of Sanibel Island, created a unique illustration to be featured as the logo for the 2010 Taste of the Islands to be held November 21 to benefit the Center for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).

Featuring five birds and a turtle carrying Caribbean-style dishes on the beach, it captures the essence of the festival and CROW’s mission to care for sick and injured wildlife. The logo will be featured on all festival collateral.

“We were thrilled when Ikki offered to create the logo for this year’s event, “ says CROW board president Susan Petersen Tucker. “He has been such a good friend to CROW over the years, and we feel very fortunate to have his continued support.”

Born in Tokyo in 1935, Matsumoto came to the U.S. in 1995 to study art. After graduating from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, he worked in advertising, and art studios before going into business himself illustrating books and creating newspaper ads, package designs and displays. In 1972, he was commissioned to illustrate The Joy of Cooking. He later moved to Sanibel Island where he began painting and making prints and opened a gallery. He was one of 50 artists chosen by first lady Nancy Reagan to paint Easter eggs in 1985 and his design remains on display at the Smithsonian Museum.

Voted “Best Island Event” for several years, Taste of the Islands brings together the island’s finest restaurants in a celebration of Sanibel style cuisine, all while raising money for CROW’s mission to care for sick and injured native and migratory wildlife. Attendees will enjoy delicious dishes from local establishments, live music and a recipe competition that will challenge the island’s finest chefs to come up with a new dish featuring a yet-to-be-named native ingredient. Event goers can also vote for their favorites in categories in the People’s Choice Awards for categories as Best Vegetarian, Best Appetizer, Best Meat, Best Seafood, Best Dessert, and Best Booth Presentation.

For more information, call 239-395-0048.

CROW provides high quality medical care to more than 4,000 animals annually, representing over 200 different wildlife species. Recognizing that much of the trauma experienced by wildlife is impacted by people, CROW’s mission includes increasing public awareness of how human population growth and activity impact wildlife. In addition to providing medical care, CROW aims to prevent environmental hazards through a variety of educational programs designed to help teach respect and how to protect native wildlife populations. For more information, visit www.crowclinic.org.

This story is contributed by a member of the Naples community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with GoNaples.com