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#242 Fine Art

Museums are magical places. There’s something so special about admiring art in sacred, silent spaces, together with complete strangers. In museums, time is suspended; you can forget about the outside world and lose yourself in the paintings, sculptures, and other artwork around you.

This week, let’s write some stories inspired by art and museums. Think about some of your favorite galleries, or consider creating a brand-new museum the world has yet to see. Let your imagination run wild, and maybe even try writing in a new genre. For this contest, the sky’s the limit!

This week's prompts

Write about a gallery whose paintings come alive at night.

Fantasy – 63 stories

Write about someone who accidentally destroys a museum’s most valuable artifact.

Funny – 30 stories

Write about an art thief who is struggling to commit the perfect heist.

Adventure – 30 stories

Write about two characters who meet and/or fall in love in a museum.

Romance – 96 stories

Start or end your story with a character who gets trapped inside a museum overnight.

Thriller and Suspense – 37 stories

Stories

Plight at the Museum

Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #242

The car’s tyres skidded over the rain-wet road, squealing in the night.Edward Rakee gritted his teeth. He didn’t like driving this fast, but the situation called for it. This had been the first night after changing the museum’s exhibits, his first actual decision on the job. At midnight, he’d gotten a call. The motion sensor alarms had detected someone inside the building. Someone had broken in – what a disaster. He gripped the steering wheel in a white-knuckle grip and fought to keep control of his 2-tonne beast.Burnhelm Museum’s windows gl...

27 likes

Meltdown at the Idaho Potato Museum

Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #242

Meltdown at the Idaho Potato Museum“No problem is so big or complicated that it can’t be run away from.”- Linus“Martin, how’s the search for a new tour guide going?”“Great, Mr. O’Sullivan.”“How many applications have you received?”“One.”“What? Just one?”“Yes, sir, but the guy looks like a real winner. Here, check out his resumé.”**Application for Employment at the Idaho Potato Museum**Name: Bert “Potato Head” Barnes.Education: Graduate of North Dakota State’s Half-Day Potato School Program (18th in my class).Work Experience: Helped my grandp...

26 likes

Beware Paris

Ev Datsyk

Submitted to Contest #242

Beware brides upon the Seine, perfumed with river water, whose veils catch the wind like white flags of surrender. They will trip along the cobbles with their arms full of roses, and the petals will find you with all the softness of forever. The brides alone feel the thorns.Beware the Latin Quarter with its songbirds and bistro tables within kissing distance. Do not be tempted here to make a beautiful acquaintance, not over a bottle of wine, not over a shot of espresso, not even over a love song.Beware the dreamers of Montmartre who create e...

26 likes

Let's blame grandpa

Submitted to Contest #242

‘Good morning darling’‘Oh, morning mummy. How are you, daddy, and Ella?’‘Yes, we’re fine thanks. Just been for a walkies with Ella and I’m sure we’ll be out again soon. Maybe a stop at The Old Boot on the way back this time.’‘Oh mummy. Well don’t say too much. You know what you’re like after a snifter or two.’‘I don’t know what you’re implying darling. I am the soul of discretion.’‘Mmm yes I’ve heard that one before.’‘This is very different. I have to say I just didn’t think your brother’s relationship was going to pan out with Donna kebab, ...

25 likes

SHADOWS OF THE RELIC: VINCENT BLACKWOOD'S ESCAPE

Submitted to Contest #242

In the heart of a bustling city stood the renowned Heritage Museum, home to priceless artifacts and treasures from civilizations long past. Among these treasures lay the ultimate prize— “Emerald Eye,” an ancient relic rumored to possess mystical powers beyond comprehension. For years, it had eluded the grasp of even the most skilled thieves. But the relic beckoned like a siren's call for Vincent Blackwood, a notorious art thief with an audacious reputation. Tall and lean, with an athletic build honed by years of daring escapades, he moved wi...

25 likes

The Last Supper Surprise Party: Murder/Mystery

E.L. Lallak

Submitted to Contest #242

This is a complete satire, not intended to mock religion. I meant to enter this in: Write about a gallery whose paintings come alive at night. oops!On the evening of April 6th, 30 AD, chaos ensued during an impromptu farewell dinner party. A hidden underground chamber hosted a jubilant soirée beneath the renowned Louvre Museum. The celebratory evening took a sinister turn as it transformed into a horrifying murder scene. The guests, driven by an overwhelming desire to uncover the culprit among them, were determined to solve the mysterious c...

25 likes

Off Duty Shipping

Angela Yuriko Smith

Submitted to Contest #242

Since the grand opening 55 years ago, the priceless artifacts housed in The Museum of Fine Lint have been kept safe by Old Gregg. Of course, he wasn’t known as Old Gregg back then, but as Young Gregg. He was named after his father, and father’s father, who had all began life as Young Gregg and then transitioned to Old in their turn. Now, working as a security guard for The Museum has been the only job Old Gregg has ever had, and he takes it very, very seriously. About every five years a new Trustee will join the museum’s board of directors t...

23 likes

Wandering Weird Loo-vres

Viga Boland

Submitted to Contest #242

***The Banters have finally been prompted to bicker-banter again as they move toward their goal of getting enough banters together for a little book. Inspiration sure takes its time striking these days LOL.*** Hey Matthew. You won't believe this! What wouldn’t I believe? Well, this just seems so ridiculous. Like, how do people get locked in museums overnight? Um…they were taking a dump in the washroom when the museum closed? Oh, aren’t you the clever one? Now, how did you figure that out? That, apparently, is one of the most common reasons....

23 likes

Nefertiti's Nose Job

Luca King Greek

Submitted to Contest #242

A major diplomatic breakthrough was brokered by Mohammed Salah the soccer superstar. Known as the Anfield Protocol, the multi-lateral agreement required several European nations to repatriate ancient treasures to their countries of origin. It was also agreed, as a quid pro quo, that the artefacts, which included the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, and the Venus de Milo, would tour the world’s major museums before returning to their place of origin. The world seemed to be on the brink of peace and prosperity. ...

23 likes

Love Amongst the Portraits

Submitted to Contest #242

Emma was a single woman in her early 40s who adored art galleries and museums. For her, they represented sanctuaries where she could revel in solitude without succumbing to loneliness. The serene ambience of these spaces allowed her facial muscles to unwind from a week of stress and transformed her into a more radiant version of herself. As an independent soul, she relished mingling with others who shared her passion for art, enjoying the silent camaraderie of fellow gallery-goers. That spring Saturday morning, in bustling Central London, wh...

22 likes

The Lovers

John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #242

The young docent, Simone, led her group into the final gallery of the tour. They gasped at seeing the museum’s most popular painting, ‘The Lovers,’ by Veneer. It depicted a young couple realizing their love for each other.Eyes shining, as if in worship, they couldn’t look away. The tour group strained against the velvet ropes. They wanted to enter the painting. Exclaiming, they pointed at details, like the doves nesting in a branch above the reclining figures. And the raven watching from the shadows of the verdant foliage bursting with flowe...

22 likes

Swept Away by the Fine Arts

Aeris Walker

Submitted to Contest #242

“Dad, this is the girl of my dreams. I’m sorry, but I’m not taking her to Crusty’s. No matter how good the chilly dogs are.”I may not be the most experienced guy when it comes to romance, but I know that there are certain places you should never bring a girl on a first date: McDonalds (obviously), monster truck rallies, your parent’s house (or any relative’s), and any establishment that sells food and gasoline under one roof. Crusty’s may be a local legacy—rumor has it President Roosevelt once stopped in and bought a corn dog—but it’s the po...

22 likes

King of the World

PJ Town

Submitted to Contest #242

(contains sexual themes and language)“It’s all right, darling,” his wife whispered.Richard lay staring at the ceiling, crestfallen at his most recent failure.“We can try again later,” his wife went on, stroking Richard's hair gently, with love.Richard grunted and flipped onto his side, with his back to his wife, leaving her hand and affection stranded in mid-air.*****“Why the long face, man?” Denis asked; Richard had been subdued all evening.“Ah, something at home.” Richard took a long draught of his beer, as if this would put an end to the ...

22 likes

"MUSEUM OF DESTINY"

Submitted to Contest #242

In the museum's empty restroom, Jelly Summers gingerly splashed water onto her face, trying to shake off the dizziness that had enveloped her since the crowded room awakened the panic inside. The cold tiles of the restroom floor felt unforgiving beneath her palms as she struggled to regain her balance.“I’m fine. I just need to freshen up a little,” she said calmly, comforting herself.Clad in a simple white blouse and blue jeans, Jelly had chosen her outfit to be casual that evening, hoping to strike the perfect balance between professional a...

22 likes

Souls of Great Chiefs

Sirref Pen Name

Submitted to Contest #242

In 1839, fifteen-year-old Cole Jasper Coaler sketched in his Greek and Algebra rule books maps of the United States, beginning east of the Mississippi, he drew the states and their borders green shadings for the wild forests, then finally on its own page, the Republic of Texas: the state itself as big as the entire eastern part of the country he drew, bordered by the shape of repeating rifles and colt revolvers and arrows and lances separating it distinctly from the rest of the world, horses and phantom humans of mythological shape dabbed by...

22 likes

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Contest #243

This contest has ended. Thank you for your submissions.

$250

Prize money

256

Entries

116

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 22, 2024 EST

Won by Niamh O'Dea 🏆

Title: Do Not Touch

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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