THE IOA LOGO:

A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US

At a glance the Italians of America Cultural Society of North Denver logo might appear to be just another colorful illustration with fancy lettering compiled simply to fill a need. But as you look closer, you’ll find a deeper meaning, one that describes what the IOA is really all about.

The focal point of our logo is the red lion, which was chosen to represent our ancestors that migrated from Italy to eventually settle in North Denver (Denver’s Little Italy). Why the red lion? The young North Denver hot rod and car enthusiasts adopted the red lion in the fifties. Some say it was a spin-off of a design used by the now defunct Gilmore Oil Co. Others believe it was taken from a racetrack in California. Regardless of it’s origin, everybody that was anybody in North Denver had a decal of the red lion in the back window of his or her car. To be really cool the lion needed to be facing the right way, which was toward North Denver when heading west on Colfax Ave. In short, the red lion eventually came to represent the pride of the North Denverites of our generation. To this day you’ll see various versions of the North Denver Red Lion in car windows, on clothing, and even adorned as tattoos.

In the IOA logo, the red lion is shown exiting Italy toward America, busting out excitedly to start a new life. The "boot" of Italy is the artist’s rendition of the beautiful marble Italy is known for; the same marble used by the likes of Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini. The Italian flag represents what they were leaving and the American flag represents their final destination, where they hoped to fulfill their every dream. The two flags are flowing together in equal size, stature, and unison, seemingly as a one Italian-American banner. Just as the two flags appear to become one, these proud, courageous people who left Italy for America became one unique, wonderful, contributing culture known as Italian Americans; proud to be American, and equally proud of their Italian heritage.