ATLANTA – Gov. Sonny Perdue on Tuesday unveiled the G-8 summit's two official logos, both of which are nature-based designs created by students at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
The students were asked to incorporate the environmental beauty of Georgia's coastal lowlands into their artwork, which will symbolize the annual gathering of the world's economic leaders.
The summit is set for June 8-10 on Glynn County's Sea Island.
One logo, a marshland oak tree covered in Spanish moss, will be used for official business relating to the summit.
The other image, a sea turtle, will be the symbol for G-8 marketing and fund-raising efforts.
Members of the governor's staff said residents throughout southeast Georgia will see the logos frequently during the next eight months.
The summit is expected to have an economic impact between $250 million and $500 million statewide.
As many as 3,000 journalists and 7,000 summit staff members are expected to attend the event, with most of them staying in Savannah.
Bob Goodwin, chairman of the G-8 Host Committee, said White House organizers decided to search for local artistic talent shortly after President Bush selected Sea Island as a venue in June.
Kim-Yen Toy, who designed the sea turtle logo, said she drew her first draft by hand while watching the World Series.
"I was thinking about what animal to do," said Toy, a graduate student in graphic design, who was born in China and raised in Quebec. "Then I thought of the turtle. It's just gorgeous and kind of like 'Southern Living.' I was trying to do something related to the environment."
David Begley, who designed the oak tree logo, said he was excited to have his work displayed before an international audience.
"I'll be graduating this spring," said Begley, who hopes to find a position teaching graphic design at the college level.
The logos were unveiled at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
The governor praised the designs, saying they capture "the spirit and environment of coastal Georgia."
Perdue also called on members of Atlanta's private business sector to come forward and help in Georgia's preparation as an international host.
"This is the largest international event in Georgia since the Olympics," he said. "We need your talent, your enthusiasm, your ideas, your elbow grease and your financial aid."
Perdue's staff estimates it will need to raise nearly $16 million from the private sector to fund the summit.
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