If you’re traveling around Lakes Park these days you may encounter a Pelican dressed like a geshia and wonder about the story behind this piece of art.  Well, here it is.

In 2003 John Armenia of the Armenia Group and founder of the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation, sponsored the creation of this pelican as part of a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital.  This pelican was one of 25  created for the event.  John then was the high bidder for the pelican and brought it to his restaurant on Sanibel, La Dolce Vita, where it graced the entrance for years.  When the restaurant closed the pelican was placed in storage.  John’s wish was that it be placed in the park.  So this November it was transferred to Lakes where it now lives.

The pelican’s plaque was lost while relocating it from Sanibel to Fort Myers. The name of the artist was lost with the plaque, until John’s son, Joe Armenia, dug through his archives last week. He came up with a news clipping about the event published in the Island Sun January 3, 2003. The article identifies the pelican as “Geisha by Regan Kerth”.

We are researching the artist, and will provide an update if we find anything definitive. In the meantime, be sure to take a ride on the Holiday Express so you can visit the park’s newest resident.

Thanks to the Armenia group for this wonderful donation and continued support of Lakes Park.