Is that a troll under the bridge? Are there gnomes and fairies milling about the Spoonbridge and Cherry? This Saturday the Walker Art Center transforms into a land of magic! Join us for Free First Saturday (Gallery admission is free from 10 am – 5 pm) and step into a realm of art-related fantasy. From 10 am – 3 pm journey on a quest through the Sculpture Garden and Open Field and meet mythical heroes and foes while participating (if you so choose) in challenges in each quadrant! So get ready to make a costume, grab a map, and set forth on your epic adventure!
This blog series will profile some of the many mythical characters you may encounter on this exciting quest, and also give a little background about the real folks playing each magical persona.
GARDEN QUEST CHARACTER PROFILE:
SKALK THE BITTER, BATTLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR
Name: Skalk the Bitter
Race: Human
Class: Fighter
Level/Ability: 9th level
Special Powers: Battle School General and Instructor. Tactical Strategist with Declining Combat Skills, Capable of Advanced Pessimism and Critique, May engage opponents with a inexcusable knowledge of Baseball Statistics and Electro House Music
Gear: A combination of the Road Warrior, Daniel Buren, Bo Jackson Commercials and Genghis Khan when he visits the sporting goods store in Bill and Ted’s excellent adventure. Armed with multiple swords, wristbands and melee weapons.
Brief Description of Garden Quest Activity: Skalk runs the battle school in which young prospects train and prove their worth. Upon graduation warriors will forge their own sword signifying their accomplishment and increased ability.
About the player, Scott Stulen
Scott Stulen is an artist, the Project Director of mnartists.org at the Walker Art Center, Director of the McKnight Artist Fellowship for Photographers, former Associate Curator at the Rochester Art Center (MN), independent curator, writer and DJ. He received his BFA in Sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and his MFA in Painting and Drawing with a minor in Art History from the University of Minnesota. Scott’s visual artwork explores personal and collective memory, pop culture, failure, loss and obsession through painting, sculpture, installation and video. He is the recipient of numerous awards including a 2005 and 2009 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant and 2008 Meet the Composer’s Creative Connections Grant. Scott exhibits throughout the country, including the recent solo exhibitions Wait For It, at Minnesota State Mankato; Hot 3-Way Action, Soo Vac, Minneapolis, MN and Kool Aid Drunk, ebersmoore gallery, Chicago. IL. His work is included in numerous public and private collections including the Weisman Art Museum and University of Minnesota and he was published in New American Paintings in both 2004 and 2007. Scott regularly performs as a DJ and sound artist under the name Black Lacquer.
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