Winona Grows: Community Wide Mystery Art Hunt

by | Mar 17, 2021 | Adult Programs, Events, Family Programs, Homeschool Arts Enrichment, Inclusive Arts, Older Adults (55+), Outdoor Programs, Virtual & Distance Programs, Visual Arts Division

Winona Grows: Community Wide Mystery Art Hunt

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is excited to invite the community to join in a COVID friendly community wide mystery art hunt, “Winona Grows”. Between April 17-May 1 oil pastel artwork created by Winona area artists of all ages will be on display in windows of area businesses and outside in public spaces. Not only will participants get to view beautiful Winona and spring themed artwork but they will also get to explore Winona and solve a mystery. Next to the artwork in each location clues will be given to fill in a Poem created by Winonan Miranda Harper.

Participating locations include The Winona Visitor’s Center, Winona Feed & Seed, Jovy Rockey Jewelry Shop, Levee Park, Green Thumb Artistry, Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), and Winona County Historical Society. Maps and the fill-in the blank mystery guide will be available online to print at mca.smumn.edu an in-person at the Winona Visitor Center (924 Huff St, Winona, MN). Once the mystery is solved, completed puzzles can be turned in virtually or in-person to be entered to win one of three unique MCA art kits.

MCA hopes that this family friendly activity gives community members something fun and safe to do during challenging times. This activity is possible thanks to all of the community partners with the support from a Walmart Community Grant.

Want to have your artwork featured in the walk?

Artists of all ages and abilities are invited to submit an oil pastel creation with a Winona or spring time/ growing theme to be included in a community wide oil pastel mystery art hunt, “Winona Grows“. Submissions should be between 3 1/2″x 5- 9″x 12″ and primarily in oil pastel (but can include gel pen, pencil, or other bits of 2-D materials). Submissions should be turned in by March 27th either in-person or by postal mail to: Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, 1164 W. 10th Street, Winona, MN 55987. For more info email: mca@smumn.edu. All contributing artists will get a $10 off coupon for any MCA programming and be entered to win one of 3 awesome and unique art kits. 

Want to Learn how to Create with Oil Pastels?

Please visit the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts You Tube channel to enjoy art tutorials by MCA teaching artist, Lisa Douglas. While exploring these videos students will learn oil pastel techniques such as blending and shading as they use Winona Landmarks such as Sugar Loaf and the Winona Bridge as inspiration.

Need Oil Pastels?

Check out our awesome Oil Pastel and Everything Art Kits available for purchase on our visual art division page.