Every September, people from all around the world celebrate the artists sharing their creations to strangers through the joy of giving in World Art Drop Day.

On Sept. 1, the Montgomery County Arts Council decided to celebrate World Art Drop Day by having the Great Montgomery County Art Hunt in which residents attempt to find 36 pieces of artists from all around Montgomery County and keep the art for free. After six hours, a total of 29 pieces were found.

Art pieces were hidden in businesses at Middletown, Jonesburg, Bellflower, Danville, New Florence and McKittrick. The 36 pieces were created by 11 local artists.

Among the businesses where the art pieces were found were the Montgomery Standard, the Bank of Missouri, State Farm, Bundy’s, Montgomery City Hardware, My Office Plus, CarQuest, the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk’s Office, the Montgomery City Public Library, Montgomery City Hall and the Montgomery City License Bureau in Montgomery City, Field Furniture in Jonesburg, Hicks Store in Bellflower, Gleeson’s Landscaping and Loutre Market in McKittrick. Middletown Veterinary Service, Crossroads General Store and Pet Pro Products in Middletown, Brinegar’s Service Station and Freedom Bank in Wellsville, Hometown Veterinary Clinic and Ole Town Bar and Grill in Jonesburg and the New Florence City Hall and Grow2Gather in New Florence.

Other businesses that participated in the scavenger hunt were Service and Supply Cooperative and Bellflower City Hall in Bellflower, Hilty’s Bee Yards in Middletown, Trading Post Auto and Red’s Gas in Danville, PSB in New Florence, James Smith Auto and Shelter Insurance in Wellsville and the Montgomery County Assessor’s Office and Milner Agency Real Estate in Montgomery City.

The scavenger hunt began at 10 a.m. Three pieces were found after the first hour, eight after the second and 19 after the third.

The event attracted a new member to the Arts Council. The organization’s Facebook page increased by 12 followers.

“I would say it was a huge success all the way around,” Arts Council President Susie Keithley said.

The clues in finding the art piece were posted on the Arts Council’s Facebook page. Each of 36 art pieces had five clues. Once the clues were dropped, participants must go in person to the location and retrieve the artwork wrapped in brown paper. They had to unwrap it, take a selfie holding the found artwork and post it on the Facebook page. Then, they can take the artwork home.

Sherri Moseley, one of the Arts Council members, organized the contest by typing in clues each hour on Facebook.

“If I knew more about Facebook, it would have been easier on me.” Moseley said.

Gary Eskew, who is on the Arts Council board, came up with the idea of having an Art Hunt during a board meeting in July.

“He found it somewhere surfing that it is a worldwide event,” Keithley said.

World Art Drop Day is held on the first Tuesday of every September.