Innovators: Tiffany Glass Ferreira and the Real Small Art League (Part 2)

Real Small Art League founder Tiffany Glass Ferreira is excited about the possibilities of geocaching in combination with Real Small Art.

Geocaching involves objects hidden at locations for participants to find using GPS locations available on the internet. If you don't have a GPS system, you can get an app for geocaching on your phone, and it is possible to geocache with only a map and a compass (after you have obtained cache coordinates via the geocaching website).

Easy Steps to Geocaching

1. Register for a free membership.
2. Click "Hide & Seek a Cache."
3. Enter your postal code and click "search."
4. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
5. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
6. Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
7. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
8. Share your geocaching stories and photos online.

When we met with Tiffany, the task-at-hand was to prepare the Real Small Art for its placement at a cache Tiffany located via the geocache website. She mentioned that artists may protect their artworks inside of small weatherproof containers to be placed at caches.

Tiffany prepares artwork for placement.

We chose to meet at a location that was close to the cache, and we had a short walk to find the hiding place.






As we walked, the map on Tiffany's phone showed us nearing the cache. Tiffany explained that individuals who are experienced with a compass and map-reading could also geocache.





One of the nice things about the phone app was that when the map showed us as being at the location, Tiffany clicked on a "Hints" tab to get more specific clues about the cache's location.

Upon locating the cache, we checked out the log inside of it- this is where geocachers sign in to show that they have located this cache. Sometimes they leave an item that may be exchanged for something new by the next cache-finder. Tiffany signed the log, left her piece of Real Small Art, and showed us how she could log in to her geocache account to record her visit to this specific cache.




We hunted down a nearby cache and got really excited when we started to discuss the possibility of downtown caches... especially caches located in Hollywood Cemetery!

Tiffany is hopeful that this system of posting and locating Real Small Art could provide Real Small Art participants a new way to interact through art-hunts.

Our thanks to Tiffany for letting us in on Real Small Art and geocaching. We think this is a great innovation in the Richmond art scene, and we are excited to keep up with their evolution!




Check out Real Small Art League's blog for Tiffany's own account of her first geocaching experience and for more information- you can also contact her with questions.

Innovators: Tiffany Glass Ferreira and the Real Small Art League (Part 1)

When Tiffany Glass Ferreira, founder of the Real Small Art League invited RVA Artblog to go on a geocaching adventure, we were intrigued to say the least.

As a mother and busy career woman, Tiffany makes small artworks in order to maintain her art practice as a part of her packed schedule (visit her website here). When she realized she needed a way to exhibit her growing body of work, she began to place her pieces in public locations, allowing people to keep the works they found. She then formed Real Small Art League to encourage other artists to do the same.

Real Small Art, ready to be placed in a cache.

From the website: "Real Small Art League is an ogoing effort to inspire random acts of artistic kindness and creative awareness. A growing number of artists make, post, document and give away tiny works in surprise locations. We believe a little work of art can go a long way."

There are over twenty artists currently involved with Real Small Art League, and the founding members recently showed work at VCU's Locker 50b.

Real Small Art Show at Locker 50b

During our meeting, Tiffany explained that one of the questions she gets the most often from artists is "Where can I post my work?" Geocaching may be the answer to this question.

Tiffany is our pick for a current innovator in Richmond arts, due to her determination to provide an interactive experience for artists and viewers involved with the Real Small Art League.

Next on RVAAB: What is geocaching and how does it work? We'll report on our geocaching trip with Tiffany.