Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park facts for kids
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| Established | June 1998 |
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| Location | Thurston County, Washington |
| Type | Sculpture garden, art gallery |
| Collection size | 120 sculptures |
| Owner | Myrna Orsini |
| Nearest parking | Limited, trail access |
The Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park is a cool outdoor art space. It's like a giant, free art gallery you can walk through! You'll find it along the Chehalis Western Trail near Tenino, in southern Thurston County, Washington.
A sculptor named Myrna Orsini started the park in 1998. It covers about 5 acres and is full of amazing sculptures. For a while, the park faced challenges, but it's now known as a "primitive park," meaning it's kept more natural.
Contents
Park History and Beginnings
The idea for the park began in 1992. Myrna Orsini and her friend Doris Coonrod visited an art meeting in Europe. They were so inspired that they bought 68 acres of land for the park. Two years later, they bought more land for a shop.
The park is a special gift to the community. It's a nonprofit, which means it doesn't aim to make money. It's located next to the Chehalis Western Trail. This trail used to be a railroad line.
The park officially opened in June 1998. To celebrate, they held a rock-carving event. Thirteen artists from nine different countries came. These countries included Lithuania, Austria, Cuba, Italy, and Canada. Each artist created a sculpture and gave it to the park's collection.
Saving the Park
Sadly, Doris Coonrod passed away in 2008. By 2011, the park was in danger of closing. There were concerns about health, maintenance, and money. The property was even put up for sale.
But local leaders and a group called the Woodland Trail Greenway Association stepped in. They helped organize money for insurance. Volunteers also offered to help with maintenance. Because of their efforts, the park was able to stay open.
The park closed temporarily in 2012. This was due to issues with parking and bathrooms. But good news! It reopened in 2017. Now, it's known as a primitive park, covering about 5 acres.
What You Can See at the Park
When the Monarch park was at its biggest, it was 80 acres. It had many different areas to explore. There was a fantasy garden and a butterfly garden. You could also find a maze and a special area with sound sculptures. These were set in the partly forested countryside.
There was also an indoor art gallery. By 2006, the park featured over 100 sculptures.
Artworks and Artists
By 2009, the Monarch park had a permanent collection of 28 artworks. Many artists donated their creations to the park. The park also showed 87 other artworks that were on loan.
The park displays art from artists all over the world. Some local artists include Valentine Welman, Justin Hahn, Tom Yody, and Myrna Orsini herself. International artists like Urs Twellmann and Doug Neil have also shown their work. The park has also hosted visiting artists, such as Pat Warner.
Fun Events at the Park
In the past, the park offered workshops. These classes taught people how to create art. It also hosted open houses called "Art in the Park." These events happened every two years.
Local artists would show and sell their work at "Art in the Park." These events also featured live music and dancing. They were a great way to enjoy art and have fun!
Special Artworks to Discover
When you arrive at the park, a cool sculpture greets you. It's made from welded bicycle parts. The stone sculptures created at the opening event are on the main path. They lead to the studio.
One very popular piece is the "Prayer Tree." This is an interactive artwork. Visitors can hang messages with their prayers or wishes on it. Another interesting piece is "The Portal." This sculpture makes a loud boom sound when the temperature changes.
The park also used to have a hedge maze. It was shaped like a butterfly! This was one of only six such mazes in the world.
Images for kids
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A general view of the Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park.
