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Chamber proposes "Made in Ojai" label and bigger Ojai Day art presence
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Summary
Carla Ferrante, CEO of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, asked the Arts Commission to back a city proclamation recognizing April as arts-and-culture month, previewed a "Made in Ojai" marking for locally made goods and outlined plans for an outdoor Ojai Day gallery. Commissioners pressed for trademark ownership and policing details.
Carla Ferrante, CEO of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, told the Arts Commission that the chamber is launching a creative-economy initiative that would promote local artists and makers and asked the city to proclaim April as a month recognizing arts, culture and creativity.
"We recently had a creative-economy workshop," Ferrante said, adding that the chamber has asked council to recognize April and is pursuing a "Made in Ojai" distinction for locally produced work. She said the chamber will "identify the logo" and said she expects the proper long-term steward to be the arts commission or the city.
Why it matters: Commissioners said a clear ownership and enforcement plan is needed before any citywide logo or trademark is used. Several commissioners recommended getting formal trademark counsel and clarifying whether the city, the chamber or the arts commission would hold rights and police misuse.
Ferrante also described plans for an outdoor art gallery on Ojai Day, with displays between North Ventura Avenue and Signal Street in front of the Playhouse and library. "We're going to create an outdoor art gallery," she said, and the chamber intends to coordinate artist displays and vendor booths for the event while the chamber initially manages the program.
Commissioners welcomed the idea but pressed for specifics about who would own and police the mark, how artists might be approved to use a logo, and whether the chamber or city would administer the program. Ferrante said the chamber would be the near-term user of the logo and that the chamber would work with the commission and city staff on next steps.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the chamber proposal itself; commissioners asked staff to coordinate with the chamber and council liaisons and to return with more details for a future agenda.
Whathappens next: Ferrante said she will meet the chamber's council liaisons and planned follow-up with the arts commission; commissioners said they would request trademark counsel and clearer stewardship before formal adoption.
