One of our most commonly asked questions… “Who are the monkeys?”

No! Not those guys!

We’re not a long haired British pop band from the 1960s.

We are local artists and lovers of all things Tacoma. Our identities are secret-that is part of the magic of Monkeyshines.

Ms Monkey: The “head honcho”, “big cheese” and “brains of the outfit”. She does everything from blowing glass to handling finances to providing hiding monkeys with hot chocolate at “0′ dark monkey” and taking out the trash. Trying to reign in naughty monkeys takes some time as well. She can be bribed with Mimosas (but only one) and also enjoys throwing monkey balls into the sound and other large bodies of water to make them hard to get.

If you’ve ever hidden, found or enjoyed Monkeyshines; it’s because of Ms Monkey who works tirelessly behind the scenes year round to give this annual gift to Tacoma.

Mr Monkey: We don’t see much of him, but we know he exists and he is THE Mr Monkey. He created the first ever Monkeyshines stamp and has done a lot of behind the scenes work.

Brass Monkey: Is a metal artist who creates our stamps the old fashioned way by pouring hot metal with his cohorts.

King Louie: Is another metal artist who also creates stamps in a high tech way.

The Great Ape: This heavy hitter contributes a lot of glass and we love his big glass balls. He also helps by getting and organizing volunteers.

Hot Monkey and the Hot Shots (Team Hot Monkey): This monkey spends hours in the hot shop teaching and helping young monkeys create glass art for the project. She leads a crack team of glass blowers.

Generous Monkey: Creates beautiful bottles with messages inside to share inspiration, laughter and joy with those who find them.

Saki Monkey: Creates 200 special ceramic saki cups most years (she claims they are teacups, but we all know better)

Zen Monkey: Another ceramic artist who creates pots for the project. Often with lovely Chinese symbols on them, what will this year’s be adorned with?

Muddy Monkey and Dizzy Monkey: They love to play in the mud and create ceramic medallions and other lovely items. They spin so much they sometimes get dizzy. What they have in store for you this year is extra special.

Bonzo: helps organize distribution and will be spreading some surprise monkey cheer.

MisAdventure Monkey: Specializes is rallying the troops, and herding cats on unplanned adventures. Her motto is “We’re not lost, we’re on an adventure”.

Mini Monkeys: A secret teams of special monkeys creating art, jokes and poems to place in the message bottles. (don’t tell anyone I spilled the beans, but they are from Grant Elementary School and they are awesome! I read some of their jokes and almost wet myself.)

Ninja Monkeys: Our elite security team. They are constantly on the lookout for monkeshine stalkers are are ready to alert the hiders via short wave radio. They have expanded their surveillance to include monkeyshine hoarders. They are experts at the ancient monkey art of poop flinging. Remember, take only one.

Hider Monkeys: Year after year, under the cover of darkness, our team of specialists creates just the right balance of easy finds for the kids, and hard finds that may be located years later. They can climb trees, leap over walls in parking lots in a single bound and dive to hide under bushes at moment’s notice. They also know other ways to fool monkey stalkers.

Naughty Monkey: Creates art, spills secrets and flings poop at anyone stalking monkeys on their rounds. Regularly has to ply Ms Monkey with mimosas (but only one) and beg forgiveness for the spilling secrets part. Usually found stirring up trouble.

Honorary and Rogue Monkeys

Marble Man: We all LOVE marble man. You may find a single tiger eye, or a carefully crafted jar full of lovely marbles. Like the first robin of Spring, Marble man is often the first sign of MonkeyShine time.

12th Man Sisters: We love these girls and their Hawks inspired polymer clay creations.

Moonsnail: The one who leaves lovely shells and other gifts from the sea for others to find.

Brick Monkey: Makes fabulous creations out of Legos, he originally wanted to be called “Stud Monkey” but Ms Monkey wants names/hints/etc… to be free of innuendo to keep things kid friendly. Dude is built like a brick…. lego house.

Laser Monkey: Makes amazing laser cut coins and medallions. In his spare time, he cheers up kids who are in the hospital and stalks other monkeys.

Fancy Monkey: likes to switch things up every year to keep things fresh and has hidden prints, paintings and sculptures. Who knows what she’ll do next? Fancy is a spontaneous adventurer who enjoys walking off the beaten path.

Two Button Monkeys: These monkeys don’t just create fun buttons, they involve local elementary school students in creating art and giving back. The Button Monkeys make weird noises when under pressure to be funny, love libraries, books, reading and Tacoma.

Mermaid Monkey: Hides 3-D printed creations. She’s a nerdy mermaid who likes to party. Yes! Mermaids are real!

Monkey Thing 1 and 2: Create wearable art on lanyards and have been known to consume mimosas at brunch after hiding art.

Mrs. Magnetic Mama: Creates magnets (duh) out of glass and clay (hint, check out metal poles and benches). She’s a former competitive soccer player and toured through Europe. Don’t stalk her (or any monkey) when she’s hiding; she can really kick.

SmartA$$ Monkey: Makes wearable items out of Swarovski Crystal and sterling, helps TacomaBuilt and hides lots of kid goodies.

TRocksMonkey: and her family hide painted rocks, pictures and other fun goodies. They are experts at pretending to be seekers and not hiders. They also know who has been naughty (unkind to others) and who’s nice.

BrownsPointMonkey: has been told that his luxurious salt and pepper beard rivals that of a great pirate captain. He shows (mostly) NE Tacoma a lot of love by hiding key chains, coin necklaces and mystery shiny things.

MadEye Monkey: Is a clumsy, creative rouge monkey handcrafting magnets & Jewelry in the South end; their hobbies include giving back while picking up trash, hiding, finding & beautifying.

Silly Irish Monkeys: Hide glass wine bottles, glass items based on the theme of the year (and monkeys of course) and kid bags with stuffies, stickers and marbles in them. They end the monkeyshine season with a shot of Jameson and a cold Guinness every year (the littles get root beer) and really are Irish.

Auspicious Monkeys: Hide bracelets, necklaces and a few sparkly Ganesha figures. They are all about global kindness, self expression & a little saltiness.

Wood Monkeys: are members of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe, Dad is a traditional Native American wood carver. Their shines are all made of, you guessed it… wood!

CrystalMonkey: She and her family are hiding Chinese finger traps (how many of you got stuck in one this year?), paper fortune cookies, safety pin charms, painted pennies with snouts, and fortune fish. They are a military family who chose to return to Washington State because they love Monkeyshines that much.

Midnight Monkeys: Make fiber art, knit and needlework creations. They love midnight snacks and midnight stashing, midday stashing works too!

Middle School Monkeys: Another team that comes from the Jason Lee Hotshop (see team Hot Monkey). They hide small pieces of glass and are really good at sneaking around.

Decal Monkey: Creates custom stickers and decals to hide. When not lurking around Tacoma after dark, she is crazy enough to show dogs in dog shows (for FUN).

CheekyMonkey: Is a cheeky rogue monkey with some fun goodies to share. Being cheeky, they are going to let us figure out for ourselves exactly what it is they are hiding. Sneaky cheeky monkey!

WannaBeShiny Monkeys: Make good luck knots, block print art cards and water color paintings. They have a cat who looks like a croissant when curled up who becomes an angry croissant when they call her that.

The GuessWho Monkeys: Create and hide handmade key chains. They love our city and life.

Polaris Monkey: hides gold and sliver 3D printed items and has performed in front of thousands of people at Benaroya Hall.

LuluMonkey: Proves that you don’t have to be an artist to get in on the fun and give back; she hides fun items related to the year (and chocolate coins YUM!). She does fitness dance and is a doggie lover.

Produce Monkey: Can be found around town with Marble Man hiding marbles and other goodies. In her spare time, she’s working on her work work balance.

There are many more monkey friends and supporters. We couldn’t do with without YOU!