Jan 7

Jan 7 Metes & Bounds

Mapping the Ojai Valley at OVM

The phrase “Metes and Bounds” evokes a methodical yet poetic system of land measurement, one that relies on natural features — creeks, ridges, and ancient oaks — to delineate boundaries. In a region as profoundly shaped by its geography as Ojai, this approach feels at once practical and lyrical, a testament to the intimate relationship between land and its inhabitants.

From now until March 9, The Ojai Valley Museum invites you to get lost in the world of maps — an apt suggestion given the exhibit’s breadth. Featuring over 150 years of cartographic history from the Museum’s permanent collection, the show is a collaborative effort led by curators Christopher Noxon, Dan Schultz, Richard Morgan, and Kim Brown — all local artists — with Noxon, Schultz, and Morgan also serving as board members. Their work is complemented by Museum staff members Roger Conrad, Wendy Barker, and Jennie Prebor, whose perspectives help bridge past and present.

Far more than simple tools for navigation, the maps in this collection chart Ojai’s evolution — its shifting boundaries, layered histories, and sense of place in the larger world. By unearthing these connections, the exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore not only the Valley’s past but also the artistry, imagination, and memory embedded in the act of mapping.

The exhibition offers visitors a hands-on exploration of maps and their meaning through a variety of interactive displays.

For younger visitors — or those young at heart — a puzzle of the Ojai Valley provides an engaging introduction to the area’s geography, with oversized pieces suitable for any age.

For those eager to explore beyond the Museum walls, a “Map Quest” invites participants to follow a custom map through downtown Ojai. This guided walk connects history to the present, with stops at landmarks like the Ojai Arcade Plaza and the Libbey Park Pergola, where visitors answer questions about the town’s past and can bring their answers back to the Museum for a prize!

As you enter the hall, an arresting comparison awaits: the earliest known map of the Valley, a diseño created around 1860 to define Rancho Ojai’s boundaries for the U.S. government, is juxtaposed with a modern Google Map displayed on an iPad.

In another corner of the exhibit, visitors are invited to leave their own mark on a series of maps that span the Ojai Valley, Southern California, the United States, and the world. By pushing a pin into their place of origin, attendees contribute to a living cartographic installation.

In the main gallery, visitors are presented with a diverse array of maps illuminating the many dimensions of the Ojai Valley. These maps are organized into categories that explore themes such as political boundaries, emergency planning, natural landscapes, and cultural heritage. Together, they offer a layered perspective on how maps shape and reflect our understanding of place, both historically and in contemporary contexts.

SOMETIMES MAPS CONTAIN MYSTERIES — WHAT IS THE SKULL?

The exhibition’s collection of souvenir and promotional maps is especially captivating for the stories it tells about Ojai’s evolving identity. These maps serve as time capsules, preserving a snapshot of local businesses, landmarks, and community life. It’s fascinating to see what has endured, like Adamson’s Towing, and what has been lost, such as the beloved bowling alley on the East End, which now sits awaiting a new owner and an uncertain future. Some landmarks, like the Ojai Rancho Motel — now the Ojai Rancho Inn — have been preserved and reinvented. The 1950s-era roadside motel retains its retro charm, but under the vision of Kenny Osehan and Shelter Social Club, its interiors and grounds have been transformed into a modern oasis and a hub for locals and visitors alike.

In contrast to these reflections on the past, other maps imagine alternate Ojai identities that never came to be. One proposed plan envisioned a roundabout at the iconic Y intersection. Another map illustrates an extended Libbey Park. These speculative maps highlight the imaginative potential of cartography.

The pièce de résistance of the exhibition is a sprawling, table-sized topographic map of the Ventura River Watershed, courtesy of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. This detailed 2017 map, bordered by vibrant orange lines marking protected open spaces and a blue line tracing the watershed boundary, invites visitors to explore the Valley’s geography in stunning detail. A magnifying glass is thoughtfully provided, allowing guests to zoom in on the intricate features of this essential natural resource — a tactile and engaging way to connect with the land that shapes Ojai.

Because the Ojai Valley Museum is History AND ART, the exhibit includes an impressive array of artistic contributions curated for “Metes & Bounds.” Each piece offers a unique perspective on mapping and its creative potential. A portion of all sales supports the Museum’s mission.

David Sinclair’s stunning Ojai Terrain presents a stunning CNC carving of the Valley from local ash wood, showcasing visible landmarks such as Sulphur Mountain and Cañada Larga.

Stephanie Hubbard’s Ojai Abstract captures the essence of the Valley in vibrant acrylics, blending abstraction with local familiarity. (Sold!)

Christopher Noxon and David Sinclair’s collaboration Topa Topo is a tactile exploration of the Ojai landscape, rendered in carved foam and vibrant acrylic.

Peggy La Cerra and Michael G. McCarthy’s Snifilicious Ojai offers an unconventional approach to mapping. This scent map of Grand Avenue encourages interaction through a QR code, leading to a digital exploration of scent mapping and the inclusion of Ojai in a global atlas of olfactory experiences.

Russell Crotty’s Auriga, Andromeda, and Triangulum Setting Matilija Wilderness takes center stage as a must-see. The piece, a 24-inch fiberglass sphere, features intricate ink and gouache detailing. On closer inspection, visitors can find snippets of real estate jargon scrawled across its surface, offering a thought-provoking commentary on how we view land and ownership.