Retrospective: Ikki and Polly Matsumoto

Celebrate the rich lives and art of Ikki and Polly Matsumoto in a retrospective of their work. Both were passionate, creative artistic forces within their community and beyond. Well known residents of Sanibel, they operated a successful art gallery for over thirteen years. Ikki’s paintings capture his love of wildlife and the native birds of Sanibel while Polly’s mixed media fiber art is filled with earthy colors and rich textures.

Exhibits: February 7 – 29
Opening reception: Friday, February 7 from 5-7 p.m. Featuring live jazz performance by Swing Street!
Gallery walk and talk: Saturday, February 8 at 10 a.m. during our weekly GreenMarket

Special thanks to Edison National Bank for sponsoring this exhibition.

About the Artists

Ikki Matsumoto came to the United States from Tokyo in 1955. He studied at the John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis and the Art Academy of Cincinnati under renowned humorous wildlife artist Charles Harper.  He worked in the advertising field as a designer and illustrated the bestseller “The Joy of Cooking” before moving to Sanibel where he established a new career as a painter and printmaker . He channeled the beautiful scenery of the island into his artistry.  His colorful works of native birds and animals captured the essence of a southern Florida style with his unique Japanese flair.   Ikki was one of 50 artists chosen by first lady Nancy Reagan to paint an Easter egg which is now in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum.

Polly Matsumoto was born in Southern Ohio and attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati.  She also studied weaving at the Weavers Guild of Cincinnati and ceramic and jewelry design at Edison College after relocating to Florida.  She was one of the founders of the Barrier Island Group for the Arts on Sanibel Island and helped to organize their annual arts and crafts fair as well as their scholarship program.  Her colorful mixed media pieces incorporate weavings, paintings and found object.

Featured artwork: Little Boy Blue by Polly Matsumoto

Also on Display:

In the Theater Lobby: Susan Anderson: Blue

Susan studied and has held shows at Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago. She also conducts annual solo shows in northern Wisconsin and continues to participate in several Plein Air workshops each year. “My subject matter is more about how the light falls on the shapes and the patterns that are created. I enjoy observing from life, interpreting what I see, and transferring the story to canvas.” Susan Anderson

In the Members Gallery: Marile Franco: “Creciendo en el Sur Oeste” (Growth in the Southwest)

A recent graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, Marile Franco creates political, humanitarian and environmental works through the process of Linocut printmaking.

Admission to our galleries is free all day, every day. Help keep it that way! Your membership or donation enables us to present amazing exhibitions and engaging programs that make the Alliance an artistic, creative treasure.