Jon Colbert & SHAMc ODDyssey

Jonathan Colbert of Sea Glass Studios has just launched a digital scavenger hunt at SHAMc and WhimzeyLand! Introducing… SHAMc ODDyssey!

Hidden throughout the spaces at SHAMc and Whimzeyland are 8 QR codes on stepping stones. To participate, use the camera on your phone to take a photo of the code. A link will pop up and will take you to the SHAMc Oddyssey site where you can hear from a character about the history/stories of the site. There’s also a docent version for a few characters where you can have a “conversation” with that character!

We are so proud of Jonathan and his hard work. We took a moment to ask him some questions about the project-

Tell us about what you do/your business.

Simply put, I’m an Independent App Developer operating under the name Sea Glass Studios. That said, I take on a variety of both personal and freelance projects through my parent company, Rogue Wave Holdings. I set it up as a holding company so I could keep all my projects under one roof without having to open multiple LLCs. This way, I could preserve the brand equity I’d already built with Jonathan Colbert Photography while also giving myself room to grow into new ventures, particularly the app and website development I do under Sea Glass Studios. I operate like a one-man creative studio, this is actually my first year in operation, so a lot of what I’m doing right now is still building the foundation, testing ideas, and figuring out what really resonates with my audience.

Can you give a few sentence summary of what SHAMc ODDyssey is?

The ODDyssey is an interactive, character-driven guide through SHAMc and Whimzeyland, with the hope of expanding throughout Safety Harbor. Instead of a traditional tour, visitors have the opportunity to discover and interact with the art environment at their own pace, while playful voices help them experience the art in fresh ways. Like a mix of Pokemon Go meets Alice in Wonderland, It’s designed to be fun, a little weird, and deeply personal at the same time.

What inspired you to make a QR scavenger hunt?

We wanted people to discover SHAMc the way so many of us first did: with curiosity and surprise around every corner. QR codes gave us a simple way to expand what was already working well here, connecting the physical spaces with hidden digital layers. The idea has evolved along the way, but at its core it’s always been about complementing the art rather than overshadowing it. That’s why we emphasized the voices as the main feature over visuals. This was a strategic choice to keep the spotlight on the environment itself while adding an extra layer of play.

What’s your favorite feature?

Honestly, it’s hearing the characters come alive. Each one has their own rhythm and personality, and when you notice their cadence and voice inflections, it can feel like the art is truly coming to life. The technology that makes this possible still blows my mind, even as we’re the ones building it out. Watching people interact with it for the first time has been just as exciting. You can tell when it’s their first experience with a personality-driven conversational AI. The appeal ends up being two-fold: the magic of the characters themselves, and the thrill of seeing what this kind of technology applied to a creative space like SHAMc. It forces you to rethink what’s possible.

What was your favorite part of making SHAMc ODDyssey?

My favorite part has been pushing the limits of this technology, constantly testing what’s possible and seeing how far we can take it. At the same time, the SHAMc team has been amazing: they’ve given me the history, stories, and context I need while also giving me the creative freedom to run wild. That balance of support and freedom is what brought the characters to life.

What inspired each character?

It’s hard to pin down every inspiration since, like most creative work, they come from a mix of places. But more often than not, we weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel.  We really just leaned into what was already working well at SHAMc and Whimzeyland. We focused on some of the largest and most distinct art installations on site and simply gave them the best voice to fit their vibe.

When/how were you first introduced to SHAMc/Whimzey?

In January 2023, my wife and I bought a house just around the corner from Whimzeyland. Like so many others, we were simply curious neighbors and wanted to understand what Whimzeyland is and how it got there, so we arranged a private tour (mostly as a way to entertain my visiting parents if I’m being honest.) That’s when we first met Autumn. A week or two later, I was promoting my photography at the Safety Harbor Art & Seafood Festival and met Patti Samuels, who put in a good word for my work. That connection led to me displaying my photography at SHAMc. 

There have been so many little coincidences that led to this partnership that, the more it grows, the less they feel like coincidences at all. I don’t spend too much time trying to explain it, I just feel incredibly fortunate to have been welcomed so warmly into the SHAMc community. I’m grateful for their willingness to try something new with me, and excited to see where this journey goes.

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Want to try the ODDyssey?

Here’s your first hint: There’s a stepping stone in front of SHAMc’s BIGGEST mascot 🐘 Find it, try it out, and let us know what you think!