WILDLAND ROOTS & MONI SEARS
The Path To Troll Alley
In 2023, Moni and her partner, Rick, built a large papier-mache skeleton puppet. It was beautiful, but also heavy, requiring multiple operators to handle. When Moni returned to large-scale puppet building soon after, she shifted toward cardboard forms and developed a method for building massive character heads that were lightweight and easy to dance with.
That experiment became Pinky and Greeny.
They debuted at the 2024 Portland Mardi Gras Parade, lighting up the night with neon paint and portable black lights. Kids danced. Adults joined in. A small monster party began to form wherever the puppets appeared.
MONSTERS OF TROLL ALLEY
For the 2025 Portland Winter Light Festival, Moni expanded the monster family and created a black light installation at Green Anchors in the tucked-away stretch known as Troll Alley.
She describes a moment from that year:
During the snowstorm that shut down most of Portland, I found myself alone with the monsters under the neon glow. The wind made them sway like they were inviting me to dance. Usually I’m behind the puppets asking others to join in. But this time the monsters invited me into their world and it was magic.
📸 courtesy of the artist
Looking ahead to 2026
Moni now has nine monsters planned for Troll Alley, along with a new lightweight neon skeleton figure that fits right in with the growing cast. Be sure to add Green Anchors to your must-see list when planning your evenings during the Portland Winter Light Festival February 6-14, 2026!
Find Moni’s work
Wildland Roots at Green Anchors
A community-powered event
Thanks to support from individuals like you- families, local businesses, art-lovers, community partners and sponsors, the Light Festival exists.
Contributions help:
- Present over 200 FREE light-based art installations and performances citywide
- Support emerging and established artists with stipends and production resources
- Activate public spaces, small businesses and vacant storefronts during winter
- Create inclusive, family-friendly experiences that welcome people of all ages
