If you haven’t heard me talk about this, GISH is short for “greatest international scavenger hunt”.
It’s an insane week of fundraising, donating, creating, painting, sculpting, recycling, and a combination of annoying the people you know and scaring random strangers with weird requests. It’s hosted by Misha Collins (Castiel in Supernatural), and the charity Random Acts of Kindness. Early August each year (and for a few weekends occasionally), a list of prompts drops for teams – groups of 15 players (aka gishers) all over the world. Teams can be localized, already know each other, or complete strangers – usually a combination of both.
The list includes a combination of artistic/creative items – painting with unique materials, for example, fundraising items – like getting 15 donations to a charitable cause – and just plain strange items – like dressing up as ghosts in an actual ghost town. The items on the list are rated with point values – the more accurate, creative, and funny your submission is – the more points you get. The winning team of this goes on a trip with the host, Misha, to do more good in the world – this year, for example, is a trip to the Amazon for reforestation efforts.
Here are some of my creations for the 2022 Hunt!
GISH Mascot Star Chart:
Feel free to download this gish mascot coloring page!
GISH Mascot Funko Pop
Probably my most successful item – this Beeline is a combination of found-object sculpting and painting, and I’m a packaging designer, so that part was easy, haha. Everything here is original except the warning line on the box, and the Gish logo.
Rare Amazonian Insect Natural History Board
Each team member as an insect. Digital Collage. The more you look at this the more you find!
Billie Eyelash
tediously made with false lashes and tweezers
My White Whale
This item was a little more internal, asking us to create a poster showing a challenge we face (the white whale). This is a digital collage created out of my art work.
Chosen Family Victorian Portrait
A digitally layered portrait of my four local teammates in the style of Victorian paintings.
Gish Flavored Ben & Jerries
Last minute item – digital.