The rustle of silk in a graveyard, a cryptic puzzle leading you through the trees, and the thrill of edging out your fellow sleuths as you search for treasure among the moss-covered tombs. It’s a fantasy plucked straight from the pages of an Agatha Christie novel or perhaps the cross-hatched dreamscapes of an Edward Gorey illustration. And soon, just before the summer solstice, you too can take part.

On Sunday, June 11, 4:30 – 7:00pm, join the Artists Archives for The Egg and The Obelisk, a scavenger hunt fundraiser to be held on the grounds of the museum’s very quiet neighbors – historic Lake View Cemetery. 

Each ticket-holding detective will be given a secret clue to track down one of over 65 ostrich eggs, hand-painted by some of the region’s premiere artists including Margaret Arthur, Lawrence Baker, Harriet Ballard, Karen D. Beckwith, Paula Blackman, Luanne Bole-Becker, Augusto Bordelois, Davon Brantley, Lauren Brantley, Denise Buckley, Stephen Calhoun, Jeffry Chiplis, Ryn Clarke, Donna Coleman, Bonnie Dolin, Gary Dumm, Laura Dumm, Patty Flauto, Jim George, Adrian Hardin, Don Harvey, Lee Heinen, Marti Higgins, Michael W. High, Mark Howard, Leslie Edwards Humez, Laura D’Alessandro & June Hund, Jacques P. Jackson, William Martin Jean, Joyce Morrow Jones, Rebecca Kaler, Lisa Kenion, Ann Kmieck, George Kocar, Mona Kolesar, Suzan Kraus, Jennifer Leach, Charlotte Lees, James W. Leslie, Barbara Martin, Liz Maugans, Wendy Partridge, Bob Peck, Karen Petkovic, Kelly Pontoni, Bellamy Printz, Edward Raffel, Bobbi Reagins, Angela Reagins, Bess Rodriquez Richard, Thomas Roese, Louis Ross, Susan Ross, John A. Sargent III, Judith Salomon, Lisa Schonberg, Deborah Silver, Corrie Slawson, Susan Squires, Mark Sudduth, Judy Takács, Mary K. Thomas, Mindy Tousley, Andy Tubbesing, Douglas Max Utter, Gwen Waight, Bob Walls, Jean Kondo Weigl, Will Wilson, Mark Yasenchack, Brent Kee Young, Marty Young, Paula Zinsmeister, Mary & Sandra Zodnik.

As a reward for their endeavors, participants will keep the exquisitely decorated egg they have uncovered. Guests will also be treated to a delectable spread of hors d’oeuvres, as well as craft beer and fine wine to brace themselves for the adventure.

>>View the Egg-Stravagant Eggs<<

Want to purchase an egg outright? For $500, attendees can pre-purchase an egg of their choice. Just call the Archives at 216-721-9020 to purchase an “instant-egg” ticket. You can also purchase a general $200 ticket, and upgrade to instant-egg status right up until the hunt begins at 5:30pm on Sunday, June 11th. An additional 5 egg-straordinary eggs will be offered through silent auction.

All proceeds will help the Archives feather their new nest

as they renovate & expand their gallery and office space.

$200 per ticket (two guests – one egg). Limited quantities available.

To take part in the mystery:

> Purchase tickets on Eventbrite

> Send a check to the Artists Archives

(1834 East 123rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44106)

> Or call 216-721-9020 with a credit card

Event Details:

• How to Dress: Portions of this event will be held OUTDOORS rain or shine, so dress for walking on grass and for the weather!
• Location: The event will be held in the Euclid Avenue Gallery across the parking lot from the Artists Archives Main Gallery. Meet there to receive your clue and instructions, NOT the cemetery.
• Arrival Time: Guests are encouraged to arrive at the Artists Archives by 4:30pm so they can browse the eggs on display, receive their clues and instructions, and enjoy refreshments before heading to the cemetery at 5:30pm sharp!
• Parking: Free parking is available in our adjacent lot, on East 123rd Street, as well as in the Circle Health Services lot located across Euclid Avenue from the gates of Lake View Cemetery. Please, do not park in the cemetery. 

Need special accommodations? We’re happy to help! Email info@artistsarchives.org to plan your visit or call 216-721-9020 for assistance. If you have mobility issues, we recommend reaching out prior to the event so we can tailor your experience to fit your needs!

Community Partners: 

Long before University Circle became a destination with many of the cultural institutions that now grace Wade Oval, there was Lake View Cemetery. Founded in 1869 by pioneering leaders of Cleveland, Lake View is one of the largest and most beautiful garden cemeteries in the United States. Modeled after the Victorian and Edwardian garden cemeteries of France and England, Lake View is filled with dramatic natural landscapes, curved roadways, artful plantings, and carefully designed monuments. It was designed as a rural retreat for urban dwellers to reconnect with the beauty and healing qualities of nature.

The 961 Collective printed the stunning custom letterpress invitations for The Egg and the Obelisk! Founder Shadi Ayoub, grew up in Beirut Lebanon where his family owned a modern offset printing press and he has always been drawn to the beauty of the old presses that were rarely used at the back of the print shop… In 2019 he left Beirut and moved to Cleveland where he started setting up the letterpress studio one press at a time. He founded The 961 Collective with the vision of doing what he loves and sharing the beautiful world of print with others in the community. He has since taken on papermaking with the goal of recycling the scraps from projects to create more handmade paper. The 961 Collective is also an educational resource hosting workshops and a collaborative space. Learn more or follow on Instagram…

The Artists Archives would like to thank Dewey’s Pizza of Lakewood, Ohio for donating food to the fundraiser. To learn more about their delicious food and their commitment to community giving on deweyspizza.com