Is that a troll under the bridge? Are the 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:
TROLL & TOLL BRIDGE
Name: Troll & Toll Bridge Creator
Race: Troll & Bridge
Class: Toll Collector
Level/Ability: Level 8
Special Powers: sleeping, snoring, hiding, collecting
Gear: Toll Bridge
Description of Garden Quest Activity: Let the Troll’s captive (see below) captivate you with some make-believe, but beware the Troll! Get creative if you get caught and hope to rely on the Troll’s narcolepsy to escape…
About the bridge-maker, Robyn Schwartzman
Robin Schwartzman is the CNC Router Technician and an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Minnesota. She received her MFA from the University of Minnesota and her BFA from Syracuse University. Robin grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, where she spent her summers working at a local amusement park; seduced by the bright lights and moving colors, she has continued to work at carnivals and theme parks throughout the past ten years. Her experiences in these whimsical environments provide a basis for her sculptures, installations, and puppetry.
GARDEN QUEST CHARACTER PROFILE:
KIPPI, THE CAPTIVE
Name: Kippi
Race: Elf
Class: Rogue
Level/Ability: 6
Special Powers: I craft weapons, trinkets and potions. I’m really good with wood, herbs, and metals. I can make plants grow by touching them!
Gear: My costume is made up of the earth, different plants and flora and fauna. I carry a pouch of fairy dust!
Description of Garden Quest Activity: I’ve been captured by the Troll! Please help me make him fall asleep so I can escape!!!
About the player, Kaitlyn Andrews
Kaitlyn Andrews started playing the Zelda games at age 9 (Ocarina of Time is the best forever&always!!) so being part of Garden Quest is basically a dream come true for her. When she’s not pretending to be an elf in the sculpture garden, you can catch her biking around the city, lifting heavy things at a restaurant in Uptown, or milling about the University of Minnesota campus where she studies performance art. Kaitlyn is also a really passionate aerialist, and practices circus weekly at Xelias Aerial Arts studio in NE Minneapolis. She likes sloths a lot. She can’t say no to a high five. She wrote this. She hopes you’re having a great day.
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