Museum of Northwest Art

The Museum of Northwest Art, commonly known as MoNA, is an art museum located in La Conner, Washington, dedicated to the Northwest School art movement. This movement reached its peak in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1930s and 1940s. Founded in 1981, the institution serves as a vital center for the exhibition and interpretation of art from the region, bridging the historical legacy of major Northwest artists with contemporary talents across the Pacific Northwest.

Photographer Art Hupy founded the museum, which opened its doors on October 3, 1981, as a small regional institution. Initially, it operated without a permanent collection, focusing instead on exhibiting works by significant Northwest artists and serving as an educational resource for Northwest art. In 1991, the museum board and a group of volunteers launched a fundraising campaign to acquire a larger facility. This effort coincided with the availability of a commercial building in downtown La Conner. Following the purchase, the structure underwent interior and exterior redesigns by the Henry Klein Partnership architecture firm, and the museum reopened in its new location in October 1995. Today, the museum hosts an annual celebration of Northwest artists that includes the MoNA auction, which supports museum programming.

Although the museum opened without a permanent collection, its mission and holdings have expanded considerably over time. Moving beyond the original focus on a select group of established Northwest figures, the museum now provides exhibition opportunities for a broader range of Pacific Northwest artists, including emerging talents. By early 2009, the museum held a small but representative permanent collection comprising approximately 2,500 works. The collection encompasses paintings, sculptures, glass art, and works on paper.

During its early years in the historic Gaches Mansion, the museum exhibited works by several prominent artists associated with the region. These included Mark Tobey, Clayton James, Philip McCracken, George Tsutakawa, and Paul Havas. Exhibitions also featured glass artists Joey Kirkpatrick and Flora Mace, as well as photographer Mary Randlett and painter William Ivey.

The museum was originally housed in the historic Gaches Mansion in La Conner. In 1991, a commercial building featuring 12,000 square meters of retail and office space became available for purchase in downtown La Conner. The museum acquired this structure, and the architectural firm Henry Klein Partnership executed a comprehensive redesign of both the interior and exterior to suit the institution's needs. The transformed building opened as the museum's new home in October 1995.

The Museum of Northwest Art is located in La Conner, Washington, in the United States. It operates from its redesigned downtown commercial building, which has served as its permanent site since 1995. The institution continues its active role in supporting and programming for Northwest art, bolstered by fundraising efforts such as its annual MoNA auction. Further details regarding current access and visiting hours are available on the museum's official website.