WonderStump Origin Story
It all began in 2019, when Kirsten (based in Texas) and Josh (from California) met at a gathering for innovative educators at SCAD Atlanta. They instantly clicked—two artists dreaming big about interactive spaces, wild ideas, and the power of art to bring people together.
Soon after, a student helped Kirsten secure a vacant warehouse in the Southtown Arts District of San Antonio. She called Josh, and he drove out to help build their first collaborative art space. That New Year’s Eve, they hosted an epic debut event—one magical night of lights, music, and an unforgettably good time.
Then the world shut down.
Like many, they used that pause to reflect—and realized they were all-in. Kirsten and her family moved to California, and together, she and Josh embedded themselves in Petaluma’s thriving art scene—volunteering, collaborating, and making friends.
They soon partnered with local nonprofit Life On Art, helping build out its warehouse fabrication space in exchange for the opportunity to establish their own studio and workshop—a collaborative environment where WonderStump began to take root.
But their dream was always bigger than a workshop. It was a home. A venue. A portal to the immersive experiences they longed to share with the community.
That dream sharpened into reality when they discovered 301 Petaluma Blvd North and met the building’s owner, who believed in their vision. With deep gratitude and an unwavering belief in the power of connection, Kirsten and Josh are stepping into the next chapter.
WonderStump isn’t just a space. It’s a testament to creative resilience, collaborative spirit, and the magic that can happen when people say yes to wild ideas.
Why WonderStump?
We have always been inspired by trees—by their strength, their beauty, their patience, and their quiet presence in the world. Trees remind us of cycles, of resilience, of rootedness—and of the magic of growth even after being cut back.
A stump carries that same quiet power.
It may seem like the end of something, but really, it’s the beginning of something new. A stump can become a home for fresh life—moss, mushrooms, insects, entire ecosystems. Some trees even regrow from their stump, sending out strong new shoots, proof that rebirth is possible.
The Giving Tree became a stump. And even then, it still gave.
WonderStump is a symbol of creative regrowth, of starting again with heart and intention. It’s about taking what’s left and imagining what could be. It’s a reminder to stay curious, rooted, and open to transformation.
And let’s be honest—an interesting name attracts interesting folks!
WonderStump is a place where wonder takes root. Where weird is welcome. And where something beautiful is always growing.
Our Vision…
Immersive Art Experience
What if Petaluma, CA was known for chickens AND ART?!?!??! This summer we are expanding WonderStump!’s popup art experiences into a permanent site-based art installation and venue, built by local artists.
This immersive art experience will entice visitors to embark upon a journey in which they become part of the artwork. Upon stepping inside, vibrant digital projections, interactive light displays, and ambient soundscapes converge with traditional sculptural installations to create an ever-changing, sensory-rich environment. This other world entices guests to explore and interact with the art, inviting a deeply personal and engaging exploration of creativity.
Also. It’ll be totally Instagrammable.
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! weaves 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
Our immersive art experience will be crafted by local artists, providing them a unique platform to showcase their creativity and skills. Each artist will have the opportunity to express their own ideas and media, within the framework of one cohesive, collaborative narrative.
By engaging both experienced and emerging talent, we will foster growth and innovation within the community, ensuring fresh and diverse artistic perspectives while also sharing experience and skills with up and coming artists. This initiative not only empowers artists but also enriches Petaluma’s vibrant art scene, elevating our cultural landscape and strengthening the network of creative professionals and friends.
Burners…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 cocktails 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!
WonderStump Founders
Kirsten Bjøre
Kirsten Bjore is an artist, educator, creative shapeshifter, and connoisseur of the wonderfully weird. She conjures connection, empathy, and curiosity through hands-on making, whether she’s crafting functional art, designing community programs, or helping others unlock their own creative magic.
Kirsten’s journey began in the deep wilderness of Southcentral Alaska, where she homesteaded off-grid as a kid with her parents, brother, and a giant St. Bernard–Husky mix named Ruffy (who may or may not have been part wolf). That early immersion in nature and self-reliance became the heartbeat of her work: art that speaks to close relationships, deep listening, and wild landscapes.
She's spent over 15 years teaching in public schools, in the realms of both behavior support and art. Always striving to meet the wants and needs of her students, she developed a Product Design program where teens launched their own real-life creative businesses.
Beyond the classroom, Kirsten has been a martial arts instructor, art supply store manager, adult education painting teacher, freelance artist, and board member/presenter with the San Antonio Art Education Association. She co-founded HoopTone, a hilariously fun aerobic hula hoop class business, and led classes that got people smiling and sweating in equal measure.
In 2017, she launched a niche business processing goat hair for the surreal and strangely fascinating world of reborn dolls — and her doll hair is now used by top sculptors and prototype artists across the globe. She’s super into costume design, leather working, and beautiful brass tools.
Most recently, Kirsten served as Head of Engagement and Programming at Life On Art, a Petaluma nonprofit focused on healing, activism, and art. She developed curricula and community partnerships rooted in creativity, connection, and social change and helped to design and execute a myriad of community-created public art exhibitions. She also organizes Arts Alive Petaluma, a downtown monthly open studio event she and Josh curate and coordinate.
Kirsten loves being surrounded by redwoods in Northern California, forever chasing sunsets, admiring wild animals, and making meaningful messes. She accepts commissions on a limited basis and continues to advocate for mental health, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ visibility, and creative entrepreneurship.
Visit her at cabracreative.com or cabracreative on Instagram to learn more about her work!
photo by Kat Carey, darkroomfoto
Josh Cardenas
Josh Cardenas is a cosmic tinkerer, creative technologist, musician, and full-time dream-wrangler. He builds wild things, makes lights dance, sculpts soundscapes, and helps imaginations take physical form — whether it’s a Hollywood movie, a wedding dress that literally animates, or a kid’s first invention come to life.
Raised in Southern California, Josh grew up at the vibrant crossroads of the movie industry and theme parks, developing a deep love for storytelling through space, light, and illusion. He spent his early years constructing elaborate Halloween haunted houses and designing fantasy environments — anything that let him invent a world and then step inside it. That passion became a lifelong pursuit.
Professionally, Josh has worked across visual effects, animation, sound design, and immersive art. He’s contributed to films like Iron Man, Planet Terror, and Elysium (& more), created visual effects for Disney, and collaborated on comics with none other than Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. He even helped animate the wedding dress for the princess of Abu Dhabi — a glittering, tech-infused garment that bloomed and shimmered as she walked down the aisle.
Josh has also toured internationally as DJ Shadow’s live visual effects artist, turning concerts into full-on sensory journeys. He’s worked in the comic book industry, technical theater, audio visual production, and as a freelance designer, using whatever tools he can to bend reality into something more playful, strange, and beautiful.
But Josh isn’t just about spectacle — he’s about people. He’s been a high school Fabrication Lab teacher, where he taught teens how to bring their own wild ideas to life with lasers, code, and sawdust. He founded and ran a tech-based art business Art Reactor, empowering youth to make art that blinks, glows, moves, and means something.
He’s also a sound and light engineer, musician, designer, builder, and (honestly) a bit of a wizard when it comes to turning chaos into wonder. He facilitates a city-wide monthly art crawl, Arts Alive Petaluma, with Kirsten— continually building an evolving network of artsy folk and community creativity.
These days, you’ll find Josh in Petaluma, California, building out ever changing and fantastical WonderStump! worlds— transforming everyday reality into something a little weirder, wilder, and more wonderful.
Peek into his world on Instagram at @visceralx.projects
WonderStump! Press
When Josh Cardenas and Kirsten Bjore heard that Rivertown Revival had reimagined its festival set for July 19-20 to take advantage of the cool evening and late-night breezes, the founders of the WonderStump! arts collective had an idea.
“We were super inspired when we heard Rivertown Revival was going to be ‘After Dark’ this year,” Cardenas said. “I’m an artist who works in sculpture, lighting and experiential/interactive art forms. Kirsten loves working with fiber arts, soft sculpture, natural materials and projections. Together, we like to create unique, playful experiences that invite people to find new ways of seeing the world.”
The Judges Special Award, awarded to the entrant with the most entertaining and unique presentation, went to Arts Alive. A monthly celebration of the arts and artists, Arts Alive take place on the third Thursday of every month, and appearing the parade to promote it were several regular participants, including WonderStump! Art Collective, Life on Earth Art, the Unicorn Blessing Brigade and Alchemia. Their exubrant procession was enormous, festooned with colorful costumes, towering walking puppets, and dozens of smiling and waving artists.
Northern California Public Media joined us in the Stump Studio to learn a little more about our epic parade float build for the 2024 Butter and Eggs Day Parade and Festival in Petaluma. Greener Pastures, and giant chickens!