World Art Drop Day, the global scavenger hunt for new, original works of art, is returning to Denver on Sept. 1 with a digital twist.
Yes, there will still be countless small, handmade works of art hidden around the metro area, with clues arriving via the artists’ social media accounts and #artdropdenver. The playful game of hide-and-seek is meant to forge random connections between strangers who share a love of art.
But due to the pandemic, this year’s event will also feature an online shop hosted by Denver Arts & Venues. In addition to hunting for small paintings, sculptures, textiles and other creations, artists can submit their work to be displayed on artsandvenuesdenver.com/artshop.
“We’ve supported Art Drop Day for several years, promoting the opportunity for artists and community members to connect through art,” said Denver Arts & Venues executive director Ginger White Brunetti in a press statement. “But this year is special.”
That’s one word for 2020. But in terms of World Art Drop Day, it means that all past and current Art Drop Denver participants will be eligible to be featured in the Art Shop Marketplace. Each Thursday, Arts & Venues will randomly select a few artists who will also be promoted on social media and highlighted in the weekly e-newsletter which reaches more than 40,000 people, city officials said.
But it’s not only traditional visual art works. Musicians, crafters, teachers and others can be featured as part of the Art Shop by completing a short form on artsandvenuesdenver.com with a photo, brief description and links to their social media, as well as their website so people can purchase artwork (or music, lessons, tickets, etc.).
“We have seen people hide books, jewelry, music, even theater tickets,” said Brooke Dilling, Arts & Venues’ community programming specialist. “We wanted to make sure to say thank you to all of those participants by supporting them through the Art Shop Marketplace.”
Artists looking to participate can visit Arts & Venues’ website. There they’ll commit to creating a small, inexpensive piece or two to share on Sept. 1, to be accompanied that day by social media clues and hints for their followers. The public can follow #artdropday and #artdropdenver, or visit the Art Drop Denver Facebook group.
In past years, the event has attracted fine artists, hobbyists, families and even business owners, who have supported artists with their own purchases (think hidden art supplies).
An estimated 1,000 pieces of art were hidden in the Denver-metro area in 2018 and 2019, Denver Arts & Venues officials said. The Art Drop Denver Facebook group has nearly 3,000 members, more than doubling each year since it debuted locally in 2016. The event was created by Provo, Utah, resident Jake Parker.