Cercana

Welcome to Cercana

sourced with purpose,
rooted in community

Cercana is a boutique storefront nestled in the heart of Ojai, California, offering ethically sourced art, home decor, and accessories from around the world.

We passionately celebrate global craftsmanship and local community with every product we bring into our space. Every piece we carry is mindfully handpicked to inspire a deeper connection—between maker and customer, culture and home.

Whether it is a locally poured candle, a handwoven wrap, or a hand-thrown ceramic bowl, our curated collection is rich with purpose, history, and raw beauty.

Our Story

A Lifelong Dream Reimagined

Cercana is a family-owned and operated passion project built on a lifetime of friendship. Co-owners Misty Gerry and Michelle Bosch first met in grade school, sharing a childhood dream of one day opening a store together. In 2020, alongside Misty’s partner Fernando Giron and Michelle’s daughter Jessica Bosch, that dream finally became a reality. We signed our lease just moments before the global pandemic hit, taking a leap of faith into the unknown and officially opening our doors in August 2020. Facing the unprecedented challenges of that year brought us closer together and deeply sharpened our mission to foster authentic human connection.

Our Story

A Grateful staple of ojai

Since opening our doors, we have been profoundly grateful to form incredible, lasting relationships with international artists, our beloved Ojai locals, and travelers from all walks of life. Thanks to our community’s overwhelming love and support, Cercana has grown into a cherished neighborhood staple, proudly voted Best of Ojai for Home Decor every year since 2023.Whether you visit us in person or shop our collection online, thank you for being a part of our story, supporting independent makers, and bringing purposeful beauty into your sanctuary.

Artists

Meet the Makers

Each piece tells a story. Get to know the artisans behind our favorite collections.

Discover the Artisans

Alexi Fine

Alexi Fine is a contemporary painter celebrated for her vibrant, emotionally rich work rooted in Impressionism with a modern twist.

WRONA GALL

Wrona Gall is a contemporary painter whose luminous cloudscapes explore the emotional power of sky and atmosphere.

KAREN BEZUIDENHOUT

Santa Barbara–based artist Karen Bezuidenhout was born and raised in Stellenbosch, South Africa, where her love of nature, horses, and adventure began.

SARAH JOHNSON

Sara Johnson brings decades of experience from working with some of the most prestigious fashion houses in Europe and the United States

Maria Maxwell

Bettina Norton, raised in both Germany and California, began drawing Breyer horses at the age of six, spending hours perfecting anatomy from every angle.

Christopher Noxon

Christopher Noxon writes, paints, and makes objects in Ojai, California. He began making art seriously in midlife, drawing inspiration from the landforms, colors, and patterns found in nature.

COLETTE COSENTINO

The delight of imagination and the natural world inspire Colette to paint. She approaches her
canvases with childlike abandon. All is spontaneous.

JULIE GRIST

Painting offers Julie Grist a space for close observation —a way to absorb people, places, and
moments, then translate them onto canvas with emotional resonance.

LESLIE CLARK

Leslie Clark is a painter, jewelry designer, and founder of the Nomad Foundation. A
Third-generation Ojai native, she was raised on a cattle ranch by her father, which gave her a
deep connection to the land and a lifelong love of wide-open spaces.

REX KOCHEL

Rex Kochel is an artist based in Ojai, California, where he lives with his wife and their dog, Romeo. His artistic career spans more than 39 years, beginning while he was an instructor at Ventura High School.

THOMAS HARDCASTLE

Thomas Hardcastle was born in Boston and raised in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. He has been a longtime resident of Ojai, California, where he paints and takes an active role in the local visual arts community.