It’s before noon on a Friday and downtown Petaluma is already buzzing with preparations for the first warm weekend of spring.
Nearby, the inside of the new building known as WonderStump matches the bustle even though it’s still not ready for its full debut.
That day will arrive at WonderStump on Friday, May 29, with Minneapolis-based punk-rock supergroup UltraBomb, which features members of Hüsker Dü, Social Distortion and Soul Asylum, taking the stage with Reno’s own Boss’ Daughter and Sonoma County rockers Redwood Chrome. But, as one looks around the space, it still feels miles away from hosting a night that is sure to pack the building which housed Al Stack’s Radiator Repair shop for as long as any Petaluman can remember.
However, there’s nothing stressful about talking to WonderStump co-founders Josh Cardenas—official title: “Director of Bits & Atoms, Lead Experience Designer”—and Kirsten Bjore—official title: “Curator of Creatures & Connection, Chief Creative Officer”—who are extremely chill while also excited to launch their dream project.
Essentially, WonderStump will be a combination interactive art space and museum by day and an event venue by night. Cardenas and Bjore’s paths crossed as both were high school art teachers by trade and both realized a shared vision of the kind of communal environment/immersive art space that WonderStump intends to become.
Cardenas, who grew up in Southern California, says he was “influenced by Disneyland, just being immersed in the whole themed-attraction thing.” This led him first into a career in theater and eventually to visual effects for film as well as 3D modeling and animation. “I just always really loved creating other worlds and other things for people to explore,” he says.
Bjore’s journey was much different. Hailing from Alaska, she always had a passion for more traditional art. Bjore says, “I was a teacher for 15 years but an artist my whole life” and notes drawing, painting and printmaking as her mediums, as well as leatherworking and costuming. As if on cue, we look to the left where some lovely, elaborate costumes she made are displayed.
Serendipitously, the duo crossed paths the first time as art teachers on a college trip with students. Cardenas says, “Kirsten was living in Texas at the time and we just got to talking and I said, ‘Oh, I’d love to do some kind of crazy, immersive art-space type stuff.’” A kindred spirit was discovered.
The two stayed in touch. “It was a shared dream that both of us always wanted to do, but we were in these other lives, teaching,” Bjore says. Yet again, fate’s hand intervened as Bjore soon moved to Northern California where the dream slowly became a reality. “Our biggest dream is to create a space where people feel inspired, joyful and curious. We all need more play and connection in our lives, and WonderStump is a place to find both,” she says.
Bjore also notes that after looking at countless spaces in and around the Bay Area, Petaluma’s artistic inclusivity made the town the perfect place for WonderStump. She mentions fellow art spaces like Slough City Studios, Alchemia and fellow newcomers Art Play Café and Grand Central Café as inspiration for what they have planned.
A brief tour of the space provides an intriguing and fun sneak peek at what Cardenas and Bjore have simmering for the upcoming concert, which will serve as a mere taste of the full WonderStump experience which opens to the public on June 20.
Many of the site’s permanent exhibits feature trees and their bases. One such tree stands over 8 feet tall and is embedded with small television sets that, upon completion, will stream video clips that serve as clues to a mystery one can solve. “Sort of like an escape room, but in reverse,” Cardenas says.
Nearby a set of train tracks with a couch nestled on them portend a Willy Wonka-esque video journey for guests, while across the room an intricately designed doorway housing a high-definition video screen beckons. A stage and lights are already set up but the question remains: Just what is a WonderStump?
At this question, Bjore’s ever-present sense of whimsy comes out in full. She says the idea for the name “is that a stump has potential. It might become a seat or a sculpture or a home for new life. The tree might have fallen or been cut down, but its story isn’t over.”
For more information about WonderStump and tickets for the May 29 concert with UltraBomb, Boss’ Daughter and Redwood Chrome, head to wonderstump.art.
