Each of the 17 pieces along the Waynesville Public Art Trail has a story to tell. Dive a little deeper with these fun and interactive scavenger hunt questions designed with the whole family in mind.

Scavenger Hunt 1
Scavenger Hunt 2

1. GATEWAY TO THE SMOKIES ARCH

Name five animals found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park beginning with the following letters: B, D, E, O, and T.

Challenge question: What President passed through downtown Waynesville on his way to inaugurate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1940?

 

2. ART CONNECTS THE PARKS

How many salamanders are found in the mini park? Hint: examine each public art piece in the park.

Challenge question: What elements of the Great Smoky Mountain landscape are depicted in the railing?

3. WILDFLOWERS OF THE SMOKIES

If you were an early botanical explorer and discovered the Lady Slipper, what name would you have given it?

Challenge question: What ailment was bee balm tea used to treat in traditional herbal medicine?

 

4. FOXY

What did this fox eat for lunch?

Challenge Question: How many pieces on the Waynesville Public Art Trail are by local artist Grace Cathey?

Scavenger Hunt 3
Scavenger Hunt 4

5. MOUNTAINS TO SEA

How many tentacles are on the jellyfish?

Challenge Question: How long is the Mountains to Sea Trail?

 

6. OLD TIME MUSIC

How many nuts and bolts are used in the statue?

Challenge Question: What was the traditional covering for a banjo head in Southern Appalachia?

Bonus Question: What song do you think these music men are playing?

7. BEAR IN MIND: IT’S FEEDING TIME

What kind of fish are the black bears eating?

Challenge question: Look around for a plaque marking the location of a time capsule. What items might be in the time capsule?

 

8. A PATCHWORK COMMUNITY

Find two quilt blocks visible from here. Hint: The Haywood County Quilt Trail is a collection of colorful quilt blocks depicted on building facades throughout the county. 

Challenge Question: Starting from the crosswalk and following the path of dark gray bricks, how many right angle turns do you make to reach the stone column? 

Scavenger Hunt 5
Scavenger Hunt 6

9. CELEBRATING FOLKMOOT

How many red circles are on the spinning flags?

Challenge question: What elements does the artist use to convey the sense of movement?

 

10. TIME SPACE VOYAGER

What is the purpose of the key hole on the base?

Challenge question: Which TV stations does this piece transmit?

11. IN WIND WE WOVEN WEAVE

What is symbolic about the marble this figure is standing on?

Challenge question: What metaphor does the weaver and weaving represent?

 

12. CHASING TADPOLES

What toy does each child have with them?

Challenge Question: How long does it take for a tadpole to turn into a frog?

Scavenger Hunt 7
Scavenger Hunt 8

13. WAYNESVILLE: ALWAYS READY

Find a plow blade and railroad spike used by the artist in creating this piece.

Challenge Question: What does the star in the map of North Carolina represent?

 

14. LILY PAD PAVERS

How many steps, heel to toe, is the circle in these pavers?

Challenge Question: Why was the Frog Level area of Waynesville chosen for the route of the railroad when it came through in 1884?

15. LA FEMME

Look through the eye of this sculpture like a window. What symbol do you see through it?

Challenge Question: Name five facial features the artist carved into this piece.

 

16. 1776 MILITIA RIFLEMAN

What items is the militiaman carrying to survive in the early Appalachian frontier?

Challenge question: What other memorials are found on the grounds of the historic courthouse?

Scavenger Hunt 9
Scavenger Hunt 10

17. PLOTT HOUND

What does the dog’s collar say?

Challenge Question: What does a Plott Hound sound like when it is treeing a bear?