Monkeyhut

Monkeyhut was not a commercial establishment, and that was one of its strengths. The rented home of sculptor Steve Anderson was the heart and soul of “funky” Fremont’s last gasp. It served as a combination community center, halfway house, and art studio. Everyone was welcome. It was the place to be for Solstice Parade launch and after-party. Five days after 9/11, it served as the hub of North America’s first carfree day observance. Towards the end, a fully functional metal foundry was operating on a concrete slab out back. Despite being in an industrial zone, neighbors complained to the landlord about the noise and human traffic. In 2002, Steve was evicted, the building was torn down, and today it remains a vacant lot. Steve’s dog Nigel’s ashes were scattered at the site on January 7, 2007.

(After a brief hiatus and period of regeneration, Steve is once more building a community around creating art. I hope his new project at 4710 Ballard Avenue will never grace the pages of this blog.)