‘Geek Week PDX’ launches art hunt for dozens of sasquatches

By Kristian Foden-Vencil (OPB)
Sept. 11, 2026 9:20 p.m.

The event, held from Sept. 11-20, celebrates “geek” culture by bringing together fans of gaming, comics, technology, art, science and cosplay.

Rick and Moni Sears took pictures of their 8-foot-high Sasquatch as it was being assembled out of cardboard, paper-mache and PVC pipe, in Portland, Ore., in 2026.

Rick and Moni Sears took pictures of their 8-foot-high Sasquatch as it was being assembled out of cardboard, paper-mache and PVC pipe, in Portland, Ore., in 2026.

Rick and Moni Sears

Artists Moni and Rick Sears spent this summer building a giant sasquatch out of reclaimed cardboard, PVC pipe and papier-mache for Geek Week PDX.

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“We had no idea that we were going to go the full 8 feet high,” said Moni Sears.

“That was the limit in the description of what they were looking for. And we actually ended up kind of hunching him down a little bit, just to make sure he fit.”

The artists built the sasquatch to celebrate “geek” culture and Geek Week PDX, which brings together fans and creators of gaming, comics, technology, art, science and cosplay.

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Sears says there’s a treasure hunt underway, starting Friday, to find all the sasquatch exhibits with the aim of showcasing unique Portland places.

“Some of them are in landmark locations like City Hall or the Keller Fountain,” she said. “Then there’s a lot of comic book shops and game shops that the geek community are likely to be hanging out in anyway.”

Portland artists Moni and Rick Sears installed their sasquatch in Portland City Hall in 2026. It's just one of 25 submitted by various artists for Geek Week PDX.

Portland artists Moni and Rick Sears installed their sasquatch in Portland City Hall in 2026. It's just one of 25 submitted by various artists for Geek Week PDX.

Rick and Moni Sears

A list of location clues can be found at the Geek Week website. For example, there’s a word scramble that reads, “MENMINAMC SPAHELC BUP,” which may have something to do with a certain pub in North Portland.

Other clues include: “This is the oldest comic shop in Portland,” and “This bar is known for its UFO décor.”

More than 25 local artists are featured in the collection which ranges from 2-inch-high miniatures to a 200-pound ballerina sasquatch.

The treasure hunt and other events run until Sunday, Sept. 20.

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