Posted by Chamber Day Committee on March 04, 2005 at 17:09:48:
Each year we have the challenge of designing a new logo for Chamber Day. It not only has to be something memorable (and it also needs to fit on a t-shirt) but also something that gives artistic representation to the connection between divers, our Chamber, and the areas we dive.
This year (in all modesty) we think we’ve got one of our best logos ever.
Local designer and graphics artist Ken Niles (he also did the 2003 logo) has come up with a unique concept that depicts the event in a full 6-tile mural in the style of Catalina Tile (which means it also includes a solid border and different corner tiles).
Catalina Tile was unique to Catalina Island, manufactured on the island from the late 1920s to mid-1930s. William Wrigley established a ceramics plant at Pebbly Beach, just south of Avalon. The plant created tens of thousands of items (tiles and pottery) from the unique red clay endemic to the island. The tiles produced were noted for their striking designs and colors, unique from other styles of California tiles, and can still be seen in many places on Catalina, including storefronts and buildings in Avalon, the Wrigley Memorial, and the Airport-In-The-Sky.
During their heyday, Catalina Island tiles and pottery were known worldwide. Eventually, demand for the tiles slowed, and the factory shut down in the late 1930's. Today, original Catalina tiles are highly sought after, with some individual tiles and sets fetching thousands of dollars.
Chamber Day has embraced the history of Catalina Tile this year. Our 6-tile scene depicts a diver ascending through the kelp while a Garibaldi, Sheephead, and Black Sea Bass hover nearby, and a dive boat awaits on the surface with Catalina in the background. The Chamber is represented in abstract by the corner tiles.
Not only will this logo be prominently featured in all promotional materials for Chamber Day as well as on the official commemorative t-shirt, but we’ll also use it as a fund-raiser as we’re going to have actual ceramic tiles produced as collectibles.
The Chamber corner will be available as a 4x4” tile ($15 donation) that will make a great coaster. The Dive Boat upper left panel will be available as a 6x6” tile ($25 donation) that’s suitable for use as a trivet or hot plate. And for a donation of $500, you will receive a limited edition of the entire 6-tile scene complete with border and Chamber corner tiles mounted and suitable for hanging (roughly 22”x30”). Any of these can be ordered through our secure website (www.chamberday.org). Please allow 4-6 weeks after the event for delivery.
We hope you’ll be as excited about this year’s logo as we are. Not only is it a great way to tie the history of the Chamber to the history of Catalina, but it’s also another great way for us to raise some money for our Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.