Michael and Bernadette Monroe, an elderly couple with deep roots in the art world, have moved into the Island House senior living community on Mercer Island. They describe the community as positive and stimulating, enjoying local amenities and trips to places like the Frye Art Museum.
Their story matters because it highlights the lifelong impact of arts engagement. Michael is a former museum director who gave Dale Chihuly his first major museum show and led the Bellevue Art Museum for two decades, while Bernadette is a practicing artist and was an art teacher for 30 years. Their current life illustrates how art and community remain central in their retirement.