Free art giveaway across California on March 12, 2026
On March 12, The Artist Tree, California’s leading dispensary that also serves as an art gallery, will transform all 12 of its locations into an art treasure hunt in celebration of International Art & Found Day.
For one day only, customers visiting any The Artist Tree location may stumble upon a piece of original art tucked somewhere in-store that is completely free to take home. The experience won’t stop at the storefront doors, though. The Artist Tree team will also be placing original works “out in the wild” in surrounding neighborhoods, on benches, and near their storefronts, offering creative surprises to the local communities. Neighbors should keep an eye out for brown paper wrapped packages marked with a colorful “Free Art” sticker.
The Artist Tree expects to collect and distribute more than 100 original works from local artists, reinforcing its mission to make art approachable, interactive, and woven into everyday life.
“Art should be approachable, unexpected, and part of everyday life, not tucked away behind a velvet rope,” said Lauren Fontein of The Artist Tree. “Art & Found Day brings creativity into the streets, giving people the chance to discover local artists in a way that feels personal and meaningful. It’s about building community through surprise, delight, and shared moments of inspiration. That’s the kind of movement we’re proud to support.”
Many of the artists contributing to Art & Found Day already have work displayed inside The Artist Tree’s galleries. Guests who have admired a piece on the wall may find themselves discovering a take-home creation by the same artist. Whether encountered in-store or in the neighborhood, each piece is intended to spark joy, surprise, and connection.
“When I created Art & Found Day, it was about more than hiding artwork, it was about removing barriers,” said Courtney Senior, Founder of International Art & Found Day. “I wanted original art in the hands of people who might never walk into a gallery. I wanted artists to feel confident sharing their work boldly and freely. And I wanted communities to experience creativity not as something exclusive, but as something joyful, generous, and shared. What The Artist Tree is doing by activating all 12 locations and turning them into community-wide treasure hunts, they are helping bring that vision to life in a very powerful way.”
In addition to The Artist Tree’s artists, in-house art curator Katie Brightside, the creative force behind the brand’s gallery programming for 10 of their 12 locations, will donate 10 original pieces of her own. Team member Alfonso Juarez, Customer Experience Specialist and artist, will also contribute an original painting to be found by one lucky person.
ABOUT THE ARTIST TREE
The Artist Tree reimagines cannabis retail and consumption, fusing art, culture, and community. The Artist Tree’s mission is to promote local artists and create meaningful cultural destinations that shatter cannabis stereotypes. Each Artist Tree location redefines the modern cannabis experience through interactive, gallery-inspired spaces where creativity, education, and connection come first.
The Artist Tree’s unique locations are much more than dispensaries; they are gathering places for locals, travelers, and the curious alike — where creativity thrives, and community takes root.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ART AND FOUND DAY
International Art & Found Day is a global community initiative that invites artists around the world to place free artworks in their local neighborhoods for others to discover. Each year, thousands of original pieces are shared freely, transforming public spaces into moments of creativity, surprise, and connection.
Founded by Canadian artist Courtney Senior, Art and Found Day was created to unite communities through art, encourage creative expression, and make art accessible to all.
To learn more or to participate, visit artandfoundday.com
