“A Picnic Under the Oaks” was a tremendous sucess!
On Saturday, August 17, 2024 about 200 Orcutt residents met in a gorgeous setting under the oaks at the historic Newlove Picnic Grounds in the Solomon Hills. We enjoyed a delicious lunch from some of our favorite Old Town Orcutt purveyors and sparkling wine in a complimentary “OTORA Cow” glass. Local Orcutt historian, Jim Bray, entertained us with stories about Old Town Orcutt’s past. There was a DJ, a beer/wine booth, and a raffle of exciting items and local experiences. Over $6,000 was raised to “Bringing the Cows Home to Old Town Orcutt” – a public art installation of whimsical and welcoming artistic cows in pasture settings that will be coming to Old Town Orcutt.
The picnic included the OTORA Annual Members Meeting. Thank you to the great group of volunteers and food/auction item donors, to Solomon Hills for opening the picnic grounds to us, and to all of you who attended!
Our new Public Art Committee announces its first project:
Background
In 2017, a local artist began secretly placing colorfully painted cows throughout Old Town Orcutt. They mysteriously popped up all over town; some were gifted to businesses. The cows have brought joy to folks of all ages. Now, the Orcutt cow artist is out of the barn and OTORA has started a Public Arts Committee! The committee members are:
• Mia Relyea, Chair (yep... the mystery Orcutt cow artist / advertising art director)
• Laura Susan Thomas (artist / Alan Hancock College art teacher)
• Aaron Cribbs (graphic designer / AC Vintage Designs, owner)
• Angela Carpenter (color & print production specialist)
• Jenn Gagarin (yoga instructor / Vida Yoga, owner)
• Aimee Synder (writer / Old Town Wine & Brew, owner)
• Danny George (musician / landscape designer / Danny George Landscape Design & Maintenance, owner)
• Jeremy Cleveland
The Project
Our first project is the “Old Town Orcutt Cow Pasture.” It will be an art installation of nearly life-size, painted cows installed in a pasture setting in Old Town Orcutt. The cows will all be different and commissioned from different local artists. The setting will be accessible to the community – folks may meander through the pasture to view the cows up close, take photos, and purely enjoy. Each artist will be given a $1,000 stipend to create/paint and for paint/supplies. The committee will work with the artist to approve their concept/design so we have a variety of cows in the pasture. There is also a cost associated with the cow substrate material and cutting the cow shape which is approximately $500. Lastly, there is a cost to ready the land/pasture for installation (grading, landscaping, ranch fencing, cow installation, donor signage) which will be raised from direct donations/sponsorships.
Two “pasture” locations are being considered and both may be utilized. One is on Clark Avenue near Foxenwood Lane before the monument entrance sign on the right. The second is at the entrance to S. Marcum Street where the OTO Farmers Market is held. The locations will be reviewed in coordination with the land owner, County Supervisor Bob Nelson's Office, and Santa Barbara County Public Works. The project will be funded by OTORA, art grant(s), partnerships, and sponsorships. The project starts moooo-ving in May 2024 with anticipated completion by the end of the year.
> Contact Mia Relyea at 805-598-0654 or miarelyea@gmail.com to get involved!
Click on the Orcutt Pioneer article at right to read more >>
Thank you to our Farmers Market manager, our committee volunteers, market sponsors, and all the different vendors who made our 2024 season a success! We love bringing this wonderful community event to Old Town Orcutt!
Survey Results
Old Town Orcutt Community Forum with Santa Barbara County Public Works
MEETING DATE: Wednesday, October 11, 2023
LOCATION: OASIS Center
Can I place a banner on the monument signs?
There are four monument entrance signs at the four access roads into Old Town Orcutt. Occasionally you will see banners hung above a sign. Non-profit civic organizations may install a banner on these monument signs to advertise their community event being held in Old Town Orcutt. To see if you can get on the banner schedule, please contact the OTORA President:
Steve Strachan / 805-878-9509 / otoraboard@gmail.com
~ MISSION ~
Who We Are
Our mission is to revitalize historic Old Town Orcutt working together in a grassroots fashion, to create a unique center for community activity. We will create and implement a comprehensive plan to organize, design, promote, and restore the commercial district. We will continually improve the economical, social, cultural, and environmental vitality of Old Town Orcutt, interpreting and preserving the past, while ensuring quality design for the future.
OTORA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (Tax ID 47-0932245) whose mission is to continue the revitalization of Old Town Orcutt as a pedestrian-friendly destination for us to live, work, and socialize. Over the years, we’ve accomplished this by working with Santa Barbara County to modify zoning, create angled parking and landscaped bulb-outs at intersections, adding benches and trashcans, commissioning a historic wall mural and clock, installed and maintianed the Strawberry Madrone trees along the business corridor, and began the Old Town Orcutt Farmers Market. And, we continue to advocate for a much-needed community parking lot.
~ ON-GOING PROJECT NO. 1 ~
The Santa Barbara County Streetscape Plan
Adapted and approved in 2006. View here.
~ ON-GOING PROJECT NO. 2 ~
Old Town Orcutt Street Tree Maintenance Project
Each year, OTORA waters and trims the Strawberry Madrone street trees along the business corridor in Old Town Orcutt. We try our best to limit the impact on businesses and residents.
OTORA Board 2024
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Steve Strachan: President
Tom Apkarian: Treasurer
Brian Tetley: Secretary
Jordan Crabtree
Mia Relyea
Kirsten Spallino
Marie Thompson
Brittany Vanderlei