Window Wonderland- A Community Driven Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Let the Scavenger Hunt Begin! Window Wonderland is LIVE!
Grab your cameras, your holiday cheer, and maybe a few friends because Window Wonderland is officially LIVE in downtown Huntington! 🎉
Now, you’re probably wondering: What exactly is Window Wonderland? Well, let me fill you in! It’s a holiday-themed window painting scavenger hunt, where local downtown businesses have turned their storefront windows into beautiful, festive works of art. It’s a fun way to explore the town and snag a prize: a downloadable coupon book with discounts to some of Huntington’s best local shops.
But, there’s more to the story than just prizes and pretty pictures. This project is about community, connection, and some truly heartwarming stories from the artists who brought the windows to life.
Painted window for Classicut Salon in Huntington, Indiana by America Carrillo
18 Painted Windows + A Prize = Pure Holiday Magic
Here’s the deal: 18 different locations in downtown Huntington now have their windows decked out with festive paintings by local artists. All you have to do is take a photo with each window and upload them to the landing page linked below. Snap, upload, win. It’s that easy.
And the best part? The prize! 🏆
You’ll get a downloadable coupon book jam-packed with awesome discounts to some of Huntington's most beloved and charming shops. We’re talking the kind of local gems that make you want to spend the entire day strolling through downtown sipping hot cocoa (or, let’s be honest, hot coffee because we’re all running on caffeine this time of year). Plus, who says you can’t use those sweet discounts to buy Christmas gifts for your friends, family, or yourself? Treat yo’ self!
Why Not Help Small Businesses & Have Fun While You’re At It?
This isn’t just about winning a prize—although the coupons are pretty fantastic. It’s also a chance to show some love to small businesses while supporting local artists. Every window you snap a pic with was painted by a local artist or even designed by a local kindergarten class! (Yes, you read that right—kindergarteners! They might have just painted the next masterpiece. Keep an eye out for those tiny, festive brush strokes.)
And here's the thing: you’re doing all of this for FREE. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Just grab your phone, take a few pics, upload them, and boom—you're on your way to a prize-packed coupon book.
Designed by local 5th grade student
Braylee. Painted by America Carrillo
Local Artists Get a Shot at Large-Scale Art for the First Time
Many of the artists involved in Window Wonderland were given the opportunity to paint on a large scale for the very first time. For some, these storefront windows were the biggest canvases they’d ever worked on, and the excitement was palpable.
Imagine taking your usual art practice, which might involve small-scale paintings, and suddenly being asked to transform a storefront window into a huge work of art. It was a daunting challenge, but one that so many artists rose to, and the results are absolutely breathtaking. These windows reflect the talent and passion of the artists who got to showcase their skills in such a public and spectacular way.
Pictured below: Huntington artist Alex Reeves takes his canvas from palm sized to full scale. His mom Shirlee Reeves stops by to help most nights! This took Alex about 3 days to complete and he would paint right after getting off work about 3:30pm until dark.
For these artists, having the chance to create large-scale pieces was an opportunity to push their boundaries and bring something special to the community. It’s one thing to hang a painting in a gallery, but it’s another to have your work displayed in the heart of downtown, where everyone can stop, admire, and appreciate it.
A Local College Student Comes Home for the Holidays to Paint Windows
One of the most touching stories from this year’s Window Wonderland comes from Jadyn, a college student who came home for the holidays and decided to give her old job’s storefront windows a festive makeover. Jadyn had worked at the local Party Shop during high school, and the owner—Lynette, who’s been a fixture of the Huntington community for years—had always supported her.
When Jadyn heard about the Window Wonderland project, she didn’t hesitate to volunteer. She saw it as an opportunity to give back to Lynette’s shop, a place that had given her so much during her younger years. Armed with paintbrushes and her best holiday spirit, Jadyn showed up ready to transform the windows into works of art.
Lynette had watched Jadyn grow from a high school student into a college freshman, and having her come back to add her own personal touch to the shop meant the world to her. For Jadyn, painting the windows was a chance to reconnect with her roots and the community she grew up in. The act of turning those windows into holiday cheer was her way of saying thank you to the town that had supported her and to the shop that had been a cornerstone of her teenage years.
Local Artists, Volunteers, and Community Connection
Jadyn’s story is just one example of how Window Wonderland has brought people together in unexpected ways. Meet Dad! Dad and his daughter Christy often road trip to snap photos with new public art installations around the area. They have been using photography to help them cope with the loss of their wife and mother, who passed away a year ago. The act of capturing moments with art in their community has provided Dad and Christy with a way to process grief, find solace, and stay connected to the world around them.
This year, something incredible happened. Dad was invited to step out from behind the camera and actually participate in the creation of public art. He had the chance to paint a window as part of the Window Wonderland project, his first public art contribution.
Participating in the project was about finding healing through creativity and connecting with the community in a whole new way. When Dad picked up the paintbrush, he wasn’t just adding color to glass; he was creating something that would bring joy to others—and in doing so, he was honoring his late wife’s memory in the most beautiful way.
A Business of 17 Years Says Goodbye with a Heartfelt Thank You
A beloved business, The Coach House, is closing its doors after 17 years in downtown Huntington. As a way to say thank you to the community that has supported the business over the years, Carey used this year’s event to leave a lasting mark of appreciation.
For Carey, the project was an opportunity to leave a heartfelt tribute to the customers and friends who made her shop a success for nearly two decades.
It was a beautiful, personal way to close this chapter of her business’s story, and the windows now stand as a symbol of appreciation for Huntington’s loyal customers.
This is what makes Window Wonderland so special: it’s not just about art on windows—it’s about the people behind the art. It’s about how public art can become a platform for personal expression, healing, and community connection. Whether it’s a college student coming home to paint her old job’s windows, an 86-year-old artist honoring his late wife through a window mural, or a local classroom contributing their designs, these painted windows are more than just decorations—they’re expressions of love, remembrance, and creativity.
Window design by Mikki Greenwood for Turn the Page Bookstore
There’s still time to join the fun! The scavenger hunt lasts until January 1st, so get out there, snap your photos, and celebrate the season in a whole new way. Don’t forget to upload your pictures for a chance to win that coveted coupon book filled with discounts to some of the town’s favorite stores.
This scavenger hunt is a celebration of everything that makes Huntington a place worth loving.
Happy hunting, everyone! 🎄📸
Click here to find the full list of locations and join the hunt!
This project was sponsored by The Indiana Arts Commission, The Huntington Visitors Bureau, and Nicks Powerwashing and More!