Launched by the City of Ojai Arts Commission in 2020, “The Paint Box Project” summoned local artists to submit proposals to transform selected City utility boxes into works of art. Chosen from twenty submissions, the winning designs garnered much applause from Ojai’s many public art lovers. Each design serves to capture the unique character of Ojai and beautify its public spaces.
CITRUS OJAI and OJAI PARADISE
Two side-by-side utility boxes, located under the tennis bleachers along the path to Libbey Bowl, were transformed by artist, Domonic Breaux. “Citrus Ojai” and “Ojai Paradise” sport a compatible color palette to create stylized depictions of oranges and birds of paradise, common to the Ojai Valley.
COLOR BLOCK
Over by the children’s playground at Libbey Park, a small vertical box along the southwest pathway, boasts a bright and colorful design by Carlos Grasso. The intricate designs of “Color Block” compliment the playfulness of the playground’s adjacent archway, designed to mimic alphabet building blocks.
GRATITUDE
Prolific Ojai artist, Leslie Marcus, used a palette of gold, ochres, and siennas to create “Gratitude.” Located adjacent to the soon to be remodeled Hotel El Roblar on Ventura Street and Ojai Avenue, Marcus’s spectacular artwork depicts the Matilija Poppy against the backdrop of the Topa Topas. Marcus hopes her design will serve to “reawaken residents and visitors to the extraordinary natural beauty that surrounds us in daily life.