I am a former business owner, resident of 20 years and an artist here in Chemainus. I am aware of the functions of the Chamber of Commerce as well as the BIA and have served on their boards years ago.
I appreciate the new branding for Chemainus and have no problems with it. I know the logos and colours are being used to create a consistent look and it is working so far.
This letter is more than likely coming from my artistic side, as I am wanting to see some signs of a personal manner decorate the downtown core. I think it would be easy to become the same as other communities that have had renovations using branding, current trends and materials available. I think of them as cookie cutter plans. A good example is that the town in Mexico that I live in during the winter has much the same look as we do, including the very similar sidewalk posts, tables, chairs and benches.
What I am getting around to is the banners that have yet to be put up. Here is a chance for us to put our personal touch onto our community streets. It may be tempting to have the branding company design the banners to keep the theme consistent, but I suggest that a more creative alternative would make a warmer community feeling.
A good part of our attraction is the arts. Music, theatre and other arts. To date our banners have been less than beautiful and to me they were put up with little artistic thought.
Suggestions:
* Have an artistic committee plan the banners.
* Check out how other towns have created banners from art work from students, local artists and others, and reproduced them onto appropriate fabric and not heavy vinyl.
How good it would be to see locally-inspired original creative banners decorating the streets of Chemainus and possibly the highway.
Lorraine Taylor
Chemainus