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We all know that artists sometimes dance to a different drummer. It's part of what makes them artists. That, and a skill seldom found in most people's genes, plus a talent rare and fragile.

So to artists and those who love and support them, it may seem nothing out of the ordinary that the Art League of Marco Island, now almost 39 years old, has changed its name.

But wait. The Art League has decided to become Marco Island’s Center For The Arts, “a new name to match its expanded focus in the arts,” as the news release says.

No, it is not an adjunct to the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts, a younger group with a different focus that has made a major impact in its four years.

The names of our two, separate art groups, are hopelessly similar. We have the Marco Island

FOUNDATION for the Arts and now, Marco Island’s CENTER for the Arts.

I wonder whether the venerable Art League’s leaders considered how confusing that will be for lay people, those whose interests and perhaps talents lie elsewhere, those who could not honestly tell a

pollster much about either organization and nothing about how they’re different.

They are different, I know. In spite of an occasional prickly relationship over this or that detail, they do support each other and complement each other. Both have some terrific, talented, civic-minded people on their rosters.

Still, is it wise to have names that the public is sure to confuse with regularity?

Suppose the makers of “This Can’t Be Yogurt” changed their product’s name to, “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Ice Cream.” Wouldn’t a lot of hurried shoppers confuse that brand with “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter?”

The new name and its similarity to the other bunch could start domestic arguments. I can hear it now, as Merv and Maude enjoy breakfast on their balcony.

“I think we should join the Marco Foundation for the Arts,” says Maude.

Merv looks up from his crossword puzzle and says, distractedly, “Sure no problem, go ahead and sign us up for Marco Island’s Center for the Arts.”

The spousal conversation tumbles into turmoil. They argue over which they should support, a Center or a Foundation. After several ruined breakfasts and a tempestuous Happy Hour argument, they decide to save their marriage with a compromise. They join a square dance club.

Another problem is that the newly named Marco Island’s Center for the Arts inevitably will be known as, for short, MICA. Oops. That acronym has been taken for the past 34 years by the Marco Island Civic Association.

Is this island big enough for two MICAs? Will people be calling the Marco Island’s Center for the Arts to find out how to join Residents’ Beach? Will they try to get restaurant and other merchant discounts with their “arts-MICA” membership rather than the real MICA discount card?

Might the two MICAs, one art, one civic/beach, etc., join forces to launch a hostile takeover of MIFA?

As contentious as some issues can be on Marco, I envision a schism erupting into a battle, between supporters of arts-MICA and MIFA-ites. And the traditional civic-MICA might join with MIFA against the upstart arts-MICA.

Center, Foundation, Potayto, Potahto, oh the humanity.

I’m just sayin’...