Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park, Sculpture garden in Thurston County, US
Monarch Contemporary Art Center is a 5-acre park with contemporary sculptures placed throughout gardens, forest patches, and interactive spaces near the Chehalis Western Trail outside Tenino. The layout merges outdoor art with natural surroundings while creating areas designed for visitor participation and exploration.
Artist Myrna Orsini and Doris Coonrod purchased the property in 1992, inspired by European art symposiums, and opened the center in 1998. The founders envisioned a space where contemporary art and landscape could coexist and develop together.
The space displays over 100 contemporary works by international and local artists, including pieces where visitors can leave messages and interact with sound installations, making art something you can touch and engage with directly.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset and accessible by foot or bike along established trails, with no vehicular access available. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for outdoor conditions, as you will be moving through gardens and wooded areas.
The property includes a butterfly-shaped maze covering about 1 acre along with fantasy gardens and interactive sound sculptures that produce music when temperature shifts occur. These sensory features add an unexpected layer of discovery to a typical walk through the park.
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