Inside the old Al Stacks Radiator Repair Shop on The Boulevard…a forest is growing…
Step inside WonderStump and you’ll find yourself immersed in a multidimensional, sensory rich, magic-infused art forest where weird, wild, and wonderful surprises await!
Sing to a tree and watch it shimmer in reply. Create ethereal music by touching light.
Whisper a secret and watch it spin itself into a web of shared experience.
This is WonderStump. Surprising, intriguing, and all yours to explore.
Fantastical FAQ
How does it work?
During regular exhibit hours, WonderStump is a ticketed venue- like a museum or a movie theater. You can purchase a ticket online or at the counter, enter the exhibit, and stay as long as you like! In addition to the exhibit experience, we also host special events like concerts, immersive theater performances, themed costume parties, poetry slams, and surreal spectacles the like of which you’ve never seen! These events have separate tickets, dates/times, and pricing.
What will I see inside?
Expect glowing portals, secret pathways, giant sculptures, and interactive spaces where the environment responds to your touch, your movement, or even the music playing in the room. We have a specially curated gift shop gallery, filled with local handcrafted goods and fine art. A small selection of snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are available, and we have plans to expand our gift shop and menu to include more local favorites.
Can kids come?
Absolutely! Open exhibit hours at WonderStump are totally family-friendly. That said...on occasion we offer 21+ special events too ;) Each event description notes whether it is all ages, 18+, or 21+
How is WonderStump different from a regular art gallery or museum?
Instead of looking at art on the walls, you step inside it. You’re surrounded by sound, light, texture, and story. You become part of the story, and the more you engage the more you discover. It’s less about observing and more about experiencing.
Can I bring my dog?
While we love creatures of every genus, we ask that pets stay safe at home. Trained service animals are always welcome.
Is the exhibit ADA accessible?
Our parking lot and building are fully ADA accessible. There are a few exhibit pieces that have a small step up, or involve entering a small space. Please contact us if you have specific questions about accessibility.
Where should I park?
We have a small parking lot next to the building which includes two ADA spaces. There is plentiful free street parking; keep an eye on posted parking signs, as the downtown area has a 2 hour parking limit from 8am - 6pm, Monday - Saturday. The free parking garage at 120 Keller Street offers a 4 hour limit on the lower levels and a 10 hour limit on the upper levels.
Am I allowed to take photos?
Yes! Please consider tagging us on social media: @wonderstump.art
What else should I know?
• The exhibit space features areas of uneven terrain, low lighting, sparkling lights, and moving projections.
• Please be mindful of the step up to the wooden main floor (ramps are installed at the main entry points).
• We have several places where you can comfortably hang out if you’re waiting for the rest of your group to arrive.
• Exhibit hours are adjusted on special event days to allow time for sound check and setup. Please see the ticketing page to confirm open hours on your specific date.
• The artists who built the space will be here when you visit, and we love connecting and answering any questions you have about the art! We can’t wait to meet you ✨
Why WonderStump?
A stump has POTENTIAL.
A stump can be so many things!
A stump can become a home for new life.
Some trees regrow from a stump after being cut down.
The Giving Tree became a stump 💚
And most importantly…
An interesting name attracts interesting folks!
A Sense of Wonder
When was the last time you were absolutely amazed? When did you last play? When were you so excited to see something, you immediately texted your friends to join you? All these things happen on the daily in our minds and in our studio, and it’s time to share them all with you.
WonderStump invites wonder into the everyday, activates the playful curiosity we were all born with, and brings friends and strangers together for a shared experience that results in connection and joy.
Built By Local Artists
The first generation of the WonderStump forest is being brought to life by founding artists Josh Cardenas and Kirsten Bjøre plus resident artist Patrick Hagan — with big plans to invite others into the story.
This ever-evolving world will grow through the hands of local artists, each adding their own spark, medium, and imagination to one shared, living narrative.
By weaving together emerging and experienced creators, WonderStump becomes both playground and incubator — a space where ideas cross-pollinate, skills are shared, and Petaluma’s creative roots grow even deeper.
Burners, dreamers, and makers — we’re looking at you. 🧡
An Offering For Our Community
We love Petaluma, & we’re all about giving back to the town that inspires us! What does that mean? How about…
A place to gather and have fun!
An intriguing experience to share with your guests from out of town!
Performances by local musicians, actors, street performers, dancers, and more!
Unique, beautiful, quirky, exquisite handmade one of a kind gifts!
Locally sourced organic snacks from Petaluma purveyors!
Bespoke craft mocktails that include magic in every sip!
An escape from the grind!
An ever-changing magical space that is responsive to your needs and desires, shape shifting like a storybook wizard to ensure you can visit time and time again without becoming bored!
Stump Corps
Kirsten Björe
Rank: Co-Founder
Designation: Curator of Creatures & Connection
Code name: Cabra Creative
Origin: Alaskan wilderness.
Primary function: Turning curiosity into community.
Field experience: Creative entrepreneurship, teaching, public art, programming, special education support, assorted creative schemes.
Documented exploits: Hula-hoop fitness business, global goat-hair enterprise for reborn doll artists, creator of life.
Known fixations: Costumes, leathercraft, brass tools, wild landscapes, beautifully strange ideas.
Current directive: Make things, make connections.
Josh Cardenas
Rank: Co-Founder
Designation: Director of Bits & Atoms
Code name: vsrl.x
Origin: SoCal, theme-park adjacent.
Primary function: Making imaginary things physically exist.
Field experience: Visual effects, animation, immersive design, international touring, youth tech-art, an unreasonable number of haunted houses.
Documented exploits: Iron Man, Elysium, Die Hard IV, Disney, DJ Shadow, Elvira, an Abu Dhabi royal wedding.
Known fixations: Projectors, fabrication equipment, things that blink, worlds that shouldn't be possible.
Current directive: Bring the environment into being.
Patrick Hagan
Rank: Resident Artist
Designation: Minister of Glitch & Grime
Code name: Pajamas
Origin: SoCal, often in ocean.
Primary function: Corrupting the signal with style.
Field experience: Video, direction, DJ/VJ sorcery, analog preservation, digital wizardry, audiovisual alchemy, meddling in emerging technology.
Documented exploits: Audiovisual experiments, successful violations of the space-time continuum.
Known fixations: VHS archaeology, circuits, analog warmth, beautifully broken things.
Current directive: Bend the signal. Keep it weird.
WonderStump In The Wild
