If you missed out on the Great Public Art Challenge, here’s a video that has been posted on YouTube. Below the video is a press release regarding the event.

Last Saturday, April 12, downtown professionals, young urban dwellers, families and art enthusiasts gathered together to participate in The Great Public Art Challenge. The event was hosted by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs office and gave the community the opportunity to enjoy some of the public art in downtown Orlando.

Participants met outside of the Orange County Administration Center next to the Leaper statue, one of Central Florida’s more famous pieces of public art. The event was kicked-off by Orange County’s Arts & Cultural Affairs Director Terry Olson and Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal. Both spoke about the benefits of public art and encouraged participants to take time to enjoy other art throughout Orange County.

Participants were given two hours to search downtown Orlando for seven pieces of public art. A map was provided with clues, each leading to a different piece of art.

Every art location included a different challenge that required participants to perform various art-related tasks, including reciting Shakespeare to drawing sidewalk chalk art outside of Orlando City Hall.

At the end, participants gathered near the Leaper statue and waited to hear their name called for the chance to win one of the many donated prizes being given away. The prizes included hotel stays, free entertainment tickets and restaurant gift certificates, and the grand prize was a package for two that included tickets to SeaWorld, a custom carved piece of art from SeaWorld, a one-night stay at the Grand Bohemian Hotel and a gift certificate to Orlando’s Citrus Restaurant.
“My goal is to have people leave this event with a better understanding of public art and become more aware of all the public art that surrounds them,” said Olson.

After the fun ended, participants walked away covered in paint, chalk and sweat laughing about the challenges they faced during their journey. But, most importantly they all walked away with a better appreciation and understanding of public art.

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