If you’ve been walking down NW 41st Street and 2nd Avenue NW lately, you might have done a double-take. Fremont recently gained its newest quirky attraction: a vibrant 3D mural featuring an adorable collection of monsters.
The eye-catching artwork transforms a large retaining wall into what its creator calls “Monsters in the Wild,” a fictional monster sanctuary and rehabilitation center. According to the official signage (because every good monster sanctuary needs proper documentation), this facility specializes in caring for creatures “bestial, celestial, and extraterrestrial.”
The mural’s cosmic purple backdrop serves as home to a fun cast of characters: bright monsters with shocked expressions and a mother-child dragon pair that look a bit confused by their surroundings. Colorful planets and a Starship Enterprise float through the scene, creating a space-age atmosphere that feels perfectly at home in Fremont.
Behind this creative endeavor is Seattle designer Peter Stern, who moonlights as a monster rehabilitator after spending his days working with some pretty big names, like NASA, Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, and even the dearly departed Jimmy Buffett. With nearly 30 years in professional design, Stern has found that while corporate clients “help pay the bills,” public art like this mural “feeds the soul,” according to his website.
Next time you’re in the area, take a moment to visit our new monster neighbors. They’ve traveled a long way to get here and they’re surprisingly good at brightening up the block.
Follow along with more monster adventures on Instagram at @monstersinthewild_.