“Pelican Roosting” by Ikki Matsumoto
“Deep Sea Ballet” by Ikki Matsumoto
“Fish Tale” by Ikki Matsumoto
“Snow Dance” by Ikki Matsumoto
The Tower Gallery will highlight the work of artist Ikki Matsumoto at a reception tonight from 5 – 8pm.
Celebrating Ikki and Polly Matsumoto’s lives of art-making, the “Matsumoto Retrospective” will feature prints of Ikki Matsumoto’s work for sale, along with Polly Matsumoto’s fiber art. Both were original Tower Gallery members.
Organized in collaboration with the couple’s daughter, Amy Matsumoto Urich, the reception will feature approximately 20 to 30 framed pieces of his work for purchase, along with unframed works, prints and notecards.
A graphic artist who passed away in 2013, Ikki Matsumoto studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati under renowned, humorous wildlife artist Charles Harper. After moving to Sanibel in 1975, he established a new career as a painter and printmaker using native birds as the subjects in his artwork.
Matsumoto was one of 50 artists chosen by former First Lady Nancy Reagan to paint an Easter egg, which is now in the Smithsonian Museum’s permanent collection. He illustrated the first “Joy of Cooking” book, and he also produced the posters for the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club’s annual fair.
Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be available at the reception, along with live music provided by Dan Smyth.
For more information, call 239-472-4557 or visit www.towergallery.net. The Tower Gallery is at 751 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel.
