Nature Is The Canvas For Contemporary Art

Art in the Park 2002

BUZZ Art & Entertainment 

August 2002


Nature Is The Canvas For Contemporary Art at Monarch Sculpture Park’s 5th Annual Art in the Park Open House Sunday August 18, 03; 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Monarch is a haven of outdoor sculpture created by local, national and international artists nestled into the edge of rural Olympia. Perhaps better referred to as an outdoor museum of contemporary sculpture, there is no place like it in our region.
Founded by Sculptor Myrna Orsini and Attorney Doris Coonrod, this free-to-the-public, non-profit park is home to over 70 unique pieces of professional sculpture, some mammoth in proportion and all for sale.


Entering the park on an ordinary day, one finds quiet paths lined with sculpture in a natural and majestic setting (including a slow moving creek). You might be greeted by sculptor and permanent artist in residence Tom Yody or another artist working in one of the studio structures Monarch provides to artists. The walking path might take you through the Japanese Gardens, past the Butterfly Garden or to the two year old full-acre hedge maze in the shape of a butterfly. As you move through the park you will be able to walk up to, around and in some cases through the most interesting collection of sculpture available to us here.


On August 18, in addition to the usual fare, expect to be greeted by a strolling musician or mime and the sound of live musical performances all day. Artists from Portland to Seattle will set up booths to sell and in some cases demonstrate their work and technique.

This year, metal artist Jack Davis will be demonstrating “metal spinning” on his 7 foot lathe. Metal spinning is a technique that involves heating metal (in this case copper) and spinning it into fine strands which are then artistically woven together. Colleen Cox of The Evergreen State College and a Monarch “emerging artist” award recipient will be running an interactive printmaking demo. Local watercolorist Melodi Cottongim will be selling her work and demonstrating her technique. Arts and crafts will be for sale by artists in painting, metal work, wood and stone carving, jewelry and quilts. 


The indoor gallery space (which has been host to artists from all over the world) will feature work by the members of the Monarch, artists from all over the Northwest. Though the indoor gallery is usually open by appointment only, it will be open throughout the day on the 18th.
Special music and dance performances will take place hourly between 11am and 5pm. You are welcome to bring in a picnic lunch or purchase food and drink on the grounds. And make sure to bring your drum-- Monarch will host a drum circle from 7-10 in the evening. There is a small fee to enter the maze, but otherwise this is a free event for the entire community.


A special stage will be set up from 11am -5pm with hourly performances from a wide variety of dancers and musicians. The entertainment is provided to complement the sculpture viewing, creating a relaxing auditory/visual experience for all. And for the child at heart or in hand.....................

If the 22 foot welded steel hand holding pick-up sticks by Myrna Orsini, or the wandering clowns don’t get the attention of your little ones, the interactive sculpture area called “the sound garden” will. Designed by Myrna Orsini, founder of Monarch herself, these permanent outdoor musical instruments are fully play-able. Should all else fail a trip through the butterfly maze followed by a hot-dog, corn on the cob and cold drink will certainly do it. 

In the future, with continued support, Monarch hopes to develop more of the 80 acres it inhabits. They intend to do so in a natural way that is eco-friendly and maintains the environment of the already-existing sculpture garden. In the mean time, more than eight acres of paths and sculpture will satisfy even the hungriest of art 
enthusiasts.

For more information about
* Regular park hours, 
* Becoming a Monarch Guild Member, 
* Participating as an artist or Volunteer,
* Financial or material support for Monarch,
* Residencies for professional and emerging artists,

* Upcoming classes and workshops 
or to arrange a special workshop,
Go to www.monarchsculpturepark.com