Island

The 2006 Arena League Island, numbered 2 in the set, was released as a promotional card for the Magic: The Gathering Arena program, a grassroots organized play initiative hosted in local game stores. These lands were designed to reward consistent participation in sanctioned tournaments, replacing the standard core set art with specialized illustrations that highlighted the aesthetic breadth of the game's basic land cycle.

The art for this specific Island was produced by artist John Avon, a prolific contributor to the game who became renowned for his sweeping, atmospheric landscapes. Avon’s approach for this series focused on vibrant, expansive horizon lines and distinct color palettes, which stood in contrast to the more traditional, dense illustrations of the era. The set remains a staple for collectors who appreciate the artist's ability to imbue the simple, utilitarian basic land card with a sense of immense scale and identity.