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 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 Please explore the Map below or click here to open a PDF of the Map with clickable links to each location. The map includes a suggested order to stop at locations, however participants are welcome to devise their own path. Don’t forget to share your journey on social media using #Winonagrows!
Have you Finished the Hunt?
Once you have visited each location and recorded the mystery word you can hand in a copy of the map or the words written out along with your name and email address to the Winona Visitor Center during their business hours or virtually by filling out this form by May 1 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. MCA is a non-profit community arts school that strives to make quality arts experiences accessible. If you enjoyed this experience and would like to help us continue to make experiences like this possible, please consider making a donation today.
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.
Enter to Win an Art Kit Full Winona Grows Poem