October 21, 2010

Museum plans costume contest, scavenger hunt

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Ok, Halloween pirates, let’s see if you know how to use a treasure map. X indeed marks the spot for a new Halloween event offered by the University Museum at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The sculpture walk features on-campus outdoor art, all with a Halloween flavor. It’s open to everyone, costumed or “regular,” not just to pirates. A costume contest rewards the clever and the costumed, and games are open to all. The event begins at 4 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31, at the University Museum, located at the north end of Faner Hall. The fun officially ends at about 6 p.m., leaving plenty of time for trick or treating.

Here’s the plan:

Costume Contest and Games -- 4-5 p.m. Costume award categories include: Superest Hero, Cutest, Silliest, Prim and Proper Princess, Most Original, Scariest, Best TV/Movie character, Best Couple and more. Games and treats add to the fun.

Sculpture Scavenger Hunt -- 5-6 p.m. Participants receive a map with Xs for the sculptures. Identifying the sculptures is part of the scavenger hunt. (Not a souvenir hunt, pirates! Leave the sculptures where they are.) The sculptures are in the area bounded by the University Museum to Pulliam Hall to Life Science II to Morris Library to Shryock Auditorium.

All ages are welcome, but adults should accompany children.

This event is the class project of Art and Design 447, a practicum encouraging students to develop and implement a museum activity.

If you are interested in dressing as a volunteer for Halloween, contact Lorilee Huffman at curator@siu.edu or Amanda Urbanski at urbanski.amanda@gmail.com. Both are available by phone at 618/453-5388.