DPJ Article: Treasure Hunt on the Metro-November 14

November 10th, 2009

Originally published in the Downtown Phoenix Journal on November 9, 2009.

METRO light rail has been a boon for Phoenix‚Äôs art scene. Many people are taking advantage of the rail system to get to and from Downtown Phoenix on First Fridays, without worrying about traffic or parking. In addition, several of Phoenix’s premier arts and culture venues and some of our best public art installations are along the route. This includes the 28 installations that are part of the light rail system itself.

This Saturday, November 14, Arizona Citizens for the Arts is highlighting these venues and installations by challenging teams of two or more people to “ride the rails” in search of Phoenix art treasures along the light rail line. The PHX ART Treasures coincides with Phoenix’s Green Week celebrations. It will take place on November 14 from 1-6 p.m.

“This unique event is intended to showcases the amazing array of arts and cultural opportunities in and around Phoenix METRO light rail,” says Brenda Sperduti, Executive Director of Arizona Citizens for the Arts, which will benefit from the proceeds of the event.

Arizona Citizens for the Arts is the nonprofit charitable arm of Arizona Action for the Arts. Its goal is to increases discussion and awareness of the importance and impact of the arts in achieving quality of life, educational excellence and economic health for all Arizonans and Arizona enterprises. It also presents the Governor’s Arts Awards annually with the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Office of the Governor.

Registration for the event will start at 1 p.m. at the Wells Fargo History Museum, 100 W. Washington in Downtown Phoenix (map). The “hunt” itself gets underway at 1:45. Participating teams will head out on a treasure/scavenger hunt to earn points toward cash prizes by deciphering trivia questions, finding clues and demonstrating artistic and creative talents along the light rail route. Teams begin returning to the starting location at 4:30 p.m. Scores will be tallied at 5 p.m., and announced at 6 p.m. The top three teams will win cash prizes of $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third.

Registration is $30 per person (children in grades K-8 are FREE) and $20 for students (student IDs required for 9th grade and up). Register two or more people online by November 10 and each will receive a $5 discount. In addition to the chance to win a cash prize, each registrant will receive:

  • a METRO all-day ride pass ($3.50 value)
  • free all-day parking in the Wells Fargo garage ($12 value)
  • event t-shirt ($10 value)
  • food, beverages and musical entertainment by local reggae/punk/surf band RAC from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Wells Fargo History Museum
  • a swag bag with great stuff from sponsors and art venues

This is a great event for families, school groups, corporate team building, service groups and friends. It will help you discover the core of your city and explore the many arts and culture treasures it has to offer.

For more information or to register, visit phxarttreasures.org or call (602) 253-6535. You can also stay up to date on Arizona Citizens for the Arts on Facebook and Twitter.

Sponsors for the event include Wells Fargo, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and METRO.