pandacular
Masterpiece
press release from https://pacificbonsaimuseum.org/press/, written by Katherine Wimble Fox
Pacific Bonsai Museum will honor the creative legacy of Dave Creek, a lead character designer for Bob’s Burgers, through an extraordinary exhibition celebrating his unique art of creating miniature treehouses nestled in deceased bonsai.
About the Artist
Dave Creek, who tragically passed away in 2021 after a skydiving accident, was passionate about creating intricate miniature treehouses in his free time outside of his Bob’s Burgers work. Creek spent over a decade building his first treehouse, which was purchased by Pete Nelson, host of the TV series Treehouse Masters. This piece, along with five other treehouse sculptures, will be on loan for the upcoming exhibition. Creek dedicated thousands of hours to crafting these delicate structures, approaching each piece with an organic, intuitive process. “I get all the answers from the tree,” he wrote on his Instagram, reflecting his deep connection to his art.
The Exhibition
Opening February 11, 2025, “Building Wonder: Bonsai Treehouses by Dave Creek” will showcase:
A Legacy of Inspiration
The exhibit is more than an art display—it’s a memorial to Creek’s boundless creativity. Curator Aarin Packard hopes visitors will be “empowered to pursue their own dreams and creativity, inspired by Creek’s passion and dedication.”
Five of the treehouses belong to Dave Creek’s Traveling Treehouses, a nonprofit co-founded by his sister Aleasha Ramsay and Brett Coker, President at Bento Box Entertainment, to bring joy to children’s hospitals. Ramsay, who authored the children’s book, Dave Creek’s Traveling Treehouses, noted, “Life is a delicate balance of risk and reward, beautifully embodied by my brother, Dave. His passion for creating and exploring the world, both in art and in life, serves as a powerful reminder that fully embracing our dreams is what truly enriches our existence. In honoring his legacy, I encourage everyone to pursue what they love, for it is in those moments of courage that we truly come alive. The most profound moments of our lives lie just beyond our fears.”
Exhibit Details
Dates: February 11, 2025 – December 21, 2025
Location: Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S 336th Street, Federal Way, WA 98001
Cost: Free entry (Suggested donation: $12)
Parking: Free, wheelchair-accessible
Special Events
Complimentary copies of “Dave Creek’s Traveling Treehouses” will be distributed to children during these events:
Images (available here)
About Pacific Bonsai Museum
Pacific Bonsai Museum inspires visitors to look closer at nature through living bonsai art. Located in a forest in Federal Way, Washington, the museum displays 50 of its 150 bonsai in an open-air, fine art setting. Annually, approximately 55,000 global visitors explore this unique Pacific Northwest gem.
Museum Hours (2025)
Pacific Bonsai Museum will honor the creative legacy of Dave Creek, a lead character designer for Bob’s Burgers, through an extraordinary exhibition celebrating his unique art of creating miniature treehouses nestled in deceased bonsai.
About the Artist
Dave Creek, who tragically passed away in 2021 after a skydiving accident, was passionate about creating intricate miniature treehouses in his free time outside of his Bob’s Burgers work. Creek spent over a decade building his first treehouse, which was purchased by Pete Nelson, host of the TV series Treehouse Masters. This piece, along with five other treehouse sculptures, will be on loan for the upcoming exhibition. Creek dedicated thousands of hours to crafting these delicate structures, approaching each piece with an organic, intuitive process. “I get all the answers from the tree,” he wrote on his Instagram, reflecting his deep connection to his art.
The Exhibition
Opening February 11, 2025, “Building Wonder: Bonsai Treehouses by Dave Creek” will showcase:
- Six meticulously crafted treehouses integrated into deceased bonsai
- Photographs documenting Creek’s life and creative journey
- Quotes highlighting his creativity and passion
- A representation of the mobile “van life” studio Creek created to work on his craft daily, even in remote locations.
A Legacy of Inspiration
The exhibit is more than an art display—it’s a memorial to Creek’s boundless creativity. Curator Aarin Packard hopes visitors will be “empowered to pursue their own dreams and creativity, inspired by Creek’s passion and dedication.”
Five of the treehouses belong to Dave Creek’s Traveling Treehouses, a nonprofit co-founded by his sister Aleasha Ramsay and Brett Coker, President at Bento Box Entertainment, to bring joy to children’s hospitals. Ramsay, who authored the children’s book, Dave Creek’s Traveling Treehouses, noted, “Life is a delicate balance of risk and reward, beautifully embodied by my brother, Dave. His passion for creating and exploring the world, both in art and in life, serves as a powerful reminder that fully embracing our dreams is what truly enriches our existence. In honoring his legacy, I encourage everyone to pursue what they love, for it is in those moments of courage that we truly come alive. The most profound moments of our lives lie just beyond our fears.”
Exhibit Details
Dates: February 11, 2025 – December 21, 2025
Location: Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S 336th Street, Federal Way, WA 98001
Cost: Free entry (Suggested donation: $12)
Parking: Free, wheelchair-accessible
Special Events
Complimentary copies of “Dave Creek’s Traveling Treehouses” will be distributed to children during these events:
- BonsaiFEST! (May 10-11, 2025)
- Summer Bonsai Solstice celebration (June 21, 2025)
Images (available here)
- Building Wonder Logo
- Full Treehouse
- Treehouse detail
- Treehouse from below
- Treehouse mobile studio
- Treehouse window detail
About Pacific Bonsai Museum
Pacific Bonsai Museum inspires visitors to look closer at nature through living bonsai art. Located in a forest in Federal Way, Washington, the museum displays 50 of its 150 bonsai in an open-air, fine art setting. Annually, approximately 55,000 global visitors explore this unique Pacific Northwest gem.
Museum Hours (2025)
- Open: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm
- Closed: Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
