The minneapolis art hunt is over. Besides waiting for a few art to claimed, there is no longer any hidden art to be found. Congrats to all the winners, please enjoy pictures of the hunt below (thanks to all who sent in pictures).

The art hunt was on the news, watch the WCCO video. Those of you who have found this page from WCCO broadcast, please note the one mistake: the winners of the hunt each win a corresponding prize listed below (valued between $15-25), not $25 cash as the broadcast implied. Sorry for the confusion.

Click here to see MEDIUM clues (clues 36-70 from Saturday 18th) and click here to see Friday's HARD clues (1-35)! The final batch of 35 'easy' clues are shown above with the park.

If you have found one of the hidden artworks, make sure to email me using the image below (send me your name, octopus found, park, and any pictures taken during the hunt). Everyone participating in the hunt is encouraged to submit pictures of you or your friends or family on the hunt will be added to the website. You can ask questions, talk to other hunters about strategy, and read some important updates on the message board

You can find more information about this hunt by scrolling down.

The hunt began! On October 17th, 2008 2pm

To read the 8/18/2008 Press Release (click here) or to watch the informative video, you can watch it here and now you can even watch the WCCO news coverage of the art hunt.


important rule: only one artwork per family. however, if you find one octopus and want to find more...simply call a friend or another family to join the hunt with you. Help spread the joy of treasure hunting to everyone.

Thirty Five brightly colored and hand drawn miniature Octopus (see above) artworks will be hidden in the public parks of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Local artist William Hessian is creating the art and then hiding the art in hidden locations in Minneapolis parks. William has spent his summer creating art hunts all across America (learn more). The hunt is open to the public and everyone is invited to get to your local parks and search for these tiny treasures. Each artwork is 2 inch by 2 inches square (extremely small). The first of the daily (several clues per day)visual photo clues will be posted here starting October 17th, 2pm.


All clues are photographs of the artwork in its hiding places, feel free to print pictures to take on your hunt. All pictures submitted to me by e-mail will be added to the website gallery right here.


Friday, October 17th (2pm) = hard clues
Saturday, October 18th (5am) = medium clues
Sunday, October 19th (5am) = easy clues
Monday, October 20th (5am) = park listings

Winners get to keep the ART! The winners will also be rewarded a small prize.

Since this hunt is a grass roots independent art project, its success relies heavily or word of mouth. Please help out by passing on this website and the dates and times to friends, families, children, schools, teachers, park enthusiasts and anyone else that might be interested in the hunt. Please show your support for: Art as Treasure, self representing artists, independent art projects, bring the joy of art to thousands of people and help fund artwork in the parks, by donation (using the Paypal links at the middle and bottom of this page).
Funding and Sponsorship

The support of donations and business sponsorships are crucial in making the art hunt a success. Thanks to WCCO, City Pages, MN artists, Mnspeak, Minnpost, Robot LOVE, Altered Esthetics and other sources that helped promote the art hunt. The Salt Lake Tribune, Costa Mesa's Daily Pilot and Portland's KATU are just a few of the past news media that has covered art hunts by William Hessian this summer. Local businesses, galleries, and organizations are instrumental in helping to support the hunt by providing small $20-25 gift certificates and be listed as a supporter on the website. Postcards will also be mailed around town, to help promote the hunt and attract sponsorships. Individuals are invited to help support the hunts by making small donations or purchasing other artwork like Bearded Bunnies created by William Hessian.

Minneapolis businesses, you can also get involved by donating a prize(s) for the winners (35 donations of $20 prizes are needed). Each business that supports the art hunt will be listed on this website as a sponsor. Minneapolis businesses also have an opportunity to help support this art hunt by posting fliers in your business entryway, front door, post board along with online promotion on your website, newsletter, or mailing list. To support the hunt please contact william hessian at: william.hessian@gmail.com

Art in the Park

William will provide paper, and supplies to anyone who would like to stop by and meet and draw with the artist. Winners of the hunt will also be able to claim their prizes during the paint in the park. Another location, gallery or hot spot will be determined for other winners to claim prizes during the rest of the week.

Saturday 18th
Stevens Square Park
Steven's Square Fall Festival
noon-3pm
I will be at this event doing a Billy Vs Matt art battle with artist Matt Semke. We will be painting with ten foot poles. Feel free to come by during your search for art, or bring the art you have found and claim your prize!

Sunday 19th
Loring Park
Art in the Park
4pm-6pm
This will be the best time to come claim your prize as the art hunt should be pretty much over at this point. I will also provide art supplies for those wanting to come draw a picture. I hope to meet many treasure hunters at the beautiful Loring Park.



Get Involved
Get involved by asking questions and talking to other treasure hunters on the message board.

Visiting Artist
Minneapolis schools and arts programs are also encouraged to contact William Hessian about a Visiting Artist talk which will engage your students to be interested in art on a whole new level. The visit will include art lessons, art hunt information, and a lecture. Contact william hessian at: william.hessian@gmail.com

Currently william is visiting:
Vessey Academy - October 15th

PLEASE VISIT OUR ART SPONSOR'S WEBSITEs (and thank them for supporting local art projects):

Minneapolis Parks & Rec
Altered Esthetics Gallery
Uptown Diner
Argente Photography
Broders: Cucina Italiana
Loring Pasta Bar
the empty envelope
robot LOVE
Walker Art Center
Weber's Westdale
Butter Bakery Cafe


join this list!
Sponsor an octopus, or make an individual donation to the art hunt itself by using the donate link below.

To see news about past and upcoming art hunts visit: