After a busy summer, we are closed for the long weekend August 30-Sept 1st (Saturday through Monday). We will be back Tuesday Sept 2 for the kick off of our 4-week focus session, and the Fall 10-week session that starts Sept 29th. Sign up for classes any time on our website!
The Monster Hunt returns to Manchester August 23rd
Find a Monster. Keep a Monster. Discover Downtown.
Downtown Manchester, NH- On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Monster Hunt returns to Downtown Manchester. This is the 13th year of the family-friendly outdoor art hunt, where Studio 550 makes 100 red clay monsters and hides them downtown.
Studio 550 hopes that by putting art out in the streets people will find joy in walking their city in search of the unexpected.
Monster Finders get the immediate reward of being able to keep the monster. All searchers are asked to keep only one, even if they see more, so the joy can be shared by as many people as possible.
Kick-off Meeting: The public all ages hunt begins after a kick-off meeting at 11AM at City Hall Plaza. At the meeting you’ll get the rules, tips, and free prizes before you head off on the search! The hunt goes until they are all found (which is quick).
Monsters will be concentrated in the heart of downtown on Elm Street between Bridge St and Studio 550 at 550 Elm. All Monsters will be placed in public places. Typically, they like to hide in places that people see every day, but normally do not have a reason to keep looking. Monsters LOVE public art.
Monster Medallions: We are hiding reusable Monster Medallions in lieu of the actual monsters. Bring your medallion to Studio 550 at 550 Elm St between 11-1 that day to trade in the found coin for its one-of-a-kind monster.
Activities: From 11AM-1PM Studio 550 will be hosting a number of low-cost or free hands-on activities at 550 Elm Street. All Monster finders are entered into a raffle to win a Studio 550 Gift Card. Other activities visitors can pick from (whether or not they found a monster) include making their own clay monster, trying the pottery wheel, making a plant habitat for their new found friend, and tie-dying a Studio 550 T-shirt or tote bag. There will also be bubble painting led by our 2-D instructor Mattea Schevey, sidewalk chalk, monster paper crafting, and rock painting.
Kids-only Hunt: There will be a mini-hunt for little ones before the public hunt! The DoubleTree Hotel at 700 Elm has graciously allowed use of the green space in front of the Center of NH. The mini-hunt begins at 10:30AM and is for littles 5 and under. Look for the colorful pennant flags! There will be 25 monsters available in this youth hunt, and all hunters get a free monster sticker, whether or not they find a clay monster.
Sweet Treats: To sweeten the deal, a handful of downtown businesses will also be offering specials or activities to those who find a monster. The Manchester City Library BookMobile will be at City Hall Plaza (no monster required!). For those who find a monster, Queen City Cupcakes will have monster cupcakes and Dancing Lion Chocolate will have an artful chocolate coin.
No purchase is necessary, but Monster-Seekers and Monster-Finders are encouraged to stay downtown to eat and to discover what our city has to offer.
Questions about the hunt can be directed to 603.232.5597, info@550arts.com. More information can also be found on the Studio 550 website https://www.550arts.com/about/monsterhunt/ and FB Event page https://www.facebook.com/share/1FzjUcyD1y/