Annual Earth Day Art Treasure Hunt

Announcing the fourth annual Red Wing Arts Treasures on the Trail, a Red Wing Earth Week finders-keepers art-in-nature program! It is the perfect reason to explore Red Wing’s Trails the week surrounding Earth Day.  Make it an annual family tradition!

When: Monday, April 22 - Saturday April 27, 2024

Where: Red Wing parks and trails

Our community is alive with creativity!  And through Treasures on the Trail friends and family members of all ages are encouraged to connect with the wonders of nature's creations that surround Red Wing. Earth Day is widely celebrated by many Red Wing organizations. Red Wing Arts designed the week-long program to celebrate and bring attention to the arts, as well as the natural beauty of the Red Wings parks and greenways.  Those who find the trail treasures get to keep them.    

This year, Red Wing Arts has commissioned artist, Ashley Hise to create ceramic bud vases that will be placed along Red Wing Trails. These treasures will be hidden in plain sight; once found, you are welcome to move the vase to your home. Yes really, take it home! 

*If you are not one of the lucky seekers who find the treasures, more ceramic bud vases are for sale at Red Wing Arts in our Depot Shop (418 Levee St - open Thursday-Monday 12-5pm).

About this year’s artist, Ashley Hise

I am a potter, sculptor and tile maker on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Duluth. A through line of inspiration for  my work has been growth patterns in bones and shells and how those patterns relate to the fluidity of water. I collect clay and find ideas for forms along the rivers and shoreline of our great Gichigami!

During my process of wheel-throwing, sculpting and firing I like to emphasize that which is not in my control: the cracks that form as the clay is stretched along a curve, the movement and mixing of glazes as they react to the heat of the kiln, and the materials in the clay that flash and blush from the kiln atmosphere. 

Helpful Hunt Information:

  • Each day, 1 ceramic bud vase will be placed on a trail by 7:30 am and a second ceramic bud vase will be placed by 3:30 pm.  Clues will be posted on our social media pages each day, and are posted below.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Red Wing trail information can be found here: https://redwing.org/trails-parks/

  • *Stay safe - you won’t have to climb or “go out on a limb” to find the treasures!

  • Share your treasure trove of discoveries while on your hunt.
    Use #TreasuresOnTheTrailRWA on social media so we can share - follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

What other magical things will you find along the way?  We can’t wait for you to share your treasure trove of discoveries.

Daily clues to which parks & trails to hunt on which days throughout Red Wing Earth Week:

APRIL 22
Red Wing’s “Living Room” – a wonderful place to experience music in the summer. 

APRIL 23
Historic Smoky Row is nearby.

APRIL 24
See you on Sorin's Bluff?

APRIL 25
Stroll through here on your way to the Library.

APRIL 26
Hike the trails and catch a game.

APRIL 27
Beautiful views of the Mississippi River Valley.