Trees. Mountains. River. Lighthouse. The highlights of Sequim, crowned with sunshine, make up the new logo of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, which was unveiled at the chamber’s Oct. 13 luncheon.

“We wanted to develop a logo that reflects all that Sequim has to offer,” said Pamela Newman, who chaired the logo design committee. Jean Wyatt, Deborah Rambo Sinn, Damian Humphreys and Vickie Maples also served on the committee.

According to Wyatt, the previous logo, which has been in use since the 1970s, also has been used by the city and the school district. “The chamber board felt it was time to establish a unique and fresh look that better defines living in Sequim.

The chamber publicized the design search in local papers and among its members. “We wanted it to be a local process,” said Newman. “We asked people to submit their vision and samples of previous work.”

From several submissions, the committee selected the proposal of Melanie Reed and interviewed her. “She could see what our vision was,” Newman said.

That vision encompassed the very things that attracted Reed to the area five years ago. She grew up in eastern Washington but had vacationed here with her family. She chose Western Washington University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in art with an emphasis in drawing.

“I took some graphic design courses when I was there, which turned out to be a really good move,” Reed said. “Careers in graphic design pay a lot more than drawing.”

In 2004, Reed came to work at the Sequim Gazette as a graphic designer. “I’d always wanted to live by the ocean,” she said, “and I was awestruck by the mountains when I first lived here.”

Reed continued to paint and draw and mounted a show at The Buzz a few years ago. To her surprise, 17 of the 18 paintings on display sold.

“That was a blast,” Reed said. “The show led to many more commissions.” She enjoys working in watercolors and sometimes experiments with unusual media – such as painting with coffee – just for fun. Some of her artwork can be seen at http://melaniereed.webs.com.

The logo design committee appreciated her flexible and creative approach as they worked with her from the initial concept submission to the final logo they accepted in August.

“Working with Melanie was delightful,” Newman said. “We’re very pleased with the logo.”

Contact Sandra Frykholm at sfrykholm@sequim gazette.com.