Shrine to The Hidden Depths
-or-
What Lurks Beneath, A Ritual
Designed by Alan Katz
Virginia Square Neighborhood, Arlington, VA
Arlington Arts Center’s Community Gallery, located in The Historic Clarendon (Maury) School
3550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Arlington Arts Center’s Community Gallery, located in The Historic Clarendon (Maury) School
3550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
#SHRINES #FindYourShrine #ExploreDC
Table of Contents
I. About Shrine to The Hidden Depths
II. Site Report: Arlington Arts Center
III. What Lurks Beneath Ritual Instructions
IV. Make An Offering
V. Connect
VI. About The Designer, Alan Katz
II. Site Report: Arlington Arts Center
III. What Lurks Beneath Ritual Instructions
IV. Make An Offering
V. Connect
VI. About The Designer, Alan Katz
Shrine To The Hidden Depths
Shrine to the Hidden Depths is dedicated to those memories hidden below the surface, waiting to explode. It takes the form of four historical naval depth charges, inside each lies a ritual to unlock sense and cultural memory. It is for Explorers seeking an unfettered pursuit of curiosity, determination and truth.
Site Report: Arlington Arts Center's Community Gallery
Located in the Historic Clarendon (Maury) School
Address: 3550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Public Transportation: Virginia Square-GMU Station (Orange & Silver Lines) N Monroe Street & 9th St N (Bus line 75) Wilson Blvd & N Monroe St (Bus line 41, 42) Hours of Availability: 12-5, Wed-Sat, beginning Mar 27. |
Outdoors/Indoors: Indoors
Metro Access: Yes, 2 minute walk from Virginia Square-GMU Parking: Yes, free lot with accessible parking Walkup Access: Yes, with nearby access ramp Terrain: Indoors Stairs: Yes, access ramp and elevator available |
Finding The Shrine
When you arrive at Arlington Arts Center, check in at the front desk. They will screen you for COVID safety, and then direct you downstairs to the Community Gallery. |
Note: because this Shrine is indoors, to ensure keeping with the Explorer’s Code and general COVID safety we ask that Explorers please RSVP using the form below.
Please also note that Shrine to The Hidden Depths will open to the public beginning on March 27th.
Please also note that Shrine to The Hidden Depths will open to the public beginning on March 27th.
Arlington Arts Center (AAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary visual arts center, was established in 1974 and has been housed since 1976 in the historic Maury School building. The facility includes nine exhibition galleries, working studios for twelve artists, and three classrooms. At 17,000 square feet, AAC is one of the largest non-federal venues for contemporary art in the Washington metropolitan area. (Arlington Arts Center)
"The Clarendon School opened its doors in September 1910 with seven teachers and 298 students in grades one through six. It served as the Clarendon community’s only elementary school for the next 63 years. In 1944, the name was changed to Matthew Maury School, in keeping with a statewide effort to rename schools in honor of native Virginians. A Clarendon community landmark, the school was renovated to become the home of the Arlington Arts Center in 1977...
The Clarendon School was renamed in 1944 to honor native Virginian Matthew Maury. Born on January 14, 1806, in Fredericksburg, Maury joined the U.S. Navy in 1821 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1836. He served as superintendent of the Navy Department’s Depot of Charts and Instruments from 1842 to 1855 and from 1858 to 1861. In 1861, he resigned from the U.S. Navy to accept a commission as commander in the Confederate Navy, and later became Secretary of the Navy for the Confederacy. After the Civil War, he lived in England. In 1868, he returned to Lexington, Va., where he served as a professor of meteorology at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI)." --Arlington Listing of Historic Districts
The Clarendon School was renamed in 1944 to honor native Virginian Matthew Maury. Born on January 14, 1806, in Fredericksburg, Maury joined the U.S. Navy in 1821 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1836. He served as superintendent of the Navy Department’s Depot of Charts and Instruments from 1842 to 1855 and from 1858 to 1861. In 1861, he resigned from the U.S. Navy to accept a commission as commander in the Confederate Navy, and later became Secretary of the Navy for the Confederacy. After the Civil War, he lived in England. In 1868, he returned to Lexington, Va., where he served as a professor of meteorology at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI)." --Arlington Listing of Historic Districts
What Lurks Beneath, A Ritual
When visiting this Shrine, you are invited to perform a Ritual, entitled What Lurks Beneath. Tap or click below to read the Ritual Instructions. Please feel free peruse the instructions in advance, but know that there may be spoilers if you do.
Come Prepared
- This Shrine only requires the presence of the Explorer, no additional items are needed.
- Because this Shrine is indoors, RSVPs via signup here are encouraged for COVID safety.

SHRINES was produced by The Arcanists, Inc. We produce live, interactive, creative nonfiction performances in ongoing series to build recurring platforms that foster direct, long-term connection among artists and audiences.
If you enjoy SHRINES, and want to support more affordable, innovative art, please consider making a donation. Big or small, every contribution helps build a more connected world.
Share Your Journey
#SHRINES #FindYourShrine #ExploreDC
Your journey is just beginning! Looking for a deeper dive into the world of SHRINES?
Share pictures, video and stories using the hashtags above so other Explorers can share your experience. Tag us so we can share your journey with others!
Join us on our Facebook Group to meet other Explorers, hear from the Designers, and uncover all the hidden secrets SHRINES has to offer!
Share pictures, video and stories using the hashtags above so other Explorers can share your experience. Tag us so we can share your journey with others!
Join us on our Facebook Group to meet other Explorers, hear from the Designers, and uncover all the hidden secrets SHRINES has to offer!
About the Designer

Alan Katz (he/him) holds the following titles: co-lead on SHRINES, Cofounder and Board Vice President of The Arcanists Inc. Summoner of The Tarot Reading. Sometime Fool and Medium of the same. Library Technician and Reference Librarian for the world's largest museum. Producer, Actor, and Instigator for Shakespeare in the Pub. Master of the Arts. Bachelor of the Fine Arts. Dada. Alan Katz's work has appeared in the following media: books, manifests for moving thousands of books, theatrical review, interview with wanted political criminals and other theatermakers, poetry, scholarly articles, the legitimate theater, musical theater, storytelling competitions, webcomic, drunken Shakespeare productions, Excel spreadsheet, Ancient Greek translation, Gantt chart, the illegitimate theater, occult ritual masquerading as theater, carnival gaming booth, pastel on paper, acrylic on PVC, face paint on three year old, PowerPoint presentation, jam, pickle, charcuterie, internet game show, Magic the Gathering deck list, and, most recently, short personal biography for marketing purposes. Alan Katz's accolades include co-writing and acting in what an award-winning and Broadway veteran director called "literally the worst play I have ever seen." His critical reviews have generated hate mail from as far away as Scotland and at least one serious threat of defamation suit. He has formally and publicly apologized for his adaptations, which have been variously called "moderately brilliant," "deliberately cross textual," and "mercifully short." He has never been convicted in a court of law as an adult.
STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATION WAIVER
By taking part in this this interactive art installation, visitors agree to participate in the SHRINES program sponsored by The Arcanists, between March 21 and Apr 25, 2021. By taking part in this interactive art installation, the visitor recognizes that The Arcanists has not undertaken any duty or responsibility for his or her safety and the visitor agrees to assume the full responsibility for all risk of bodily injury, death, disability, illness contracted and property damage as a result of participating in SHRINES. By taking part, visitors agree to the risks involved in participating in SHRINES and willingly and voluntarily accept these risks. Further, by taking part visitors hereby surrender any right to seek reimbursement from The Arcanists and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers and other agents for injury sustained and liability incurred during participation in the activity described above. By taking part, visitors agree to any and all statements statements made on this Statement of Participation Waiver.
By taking part in this this interactive art installation, visitors agree to participate in the SHRINES program sponsored by The Arcanists, between March 21 and Apr 25, 2021. By taking part in this interactive art installation, the visitor recognizes that The Arcanists has not undertaken any duty or responsibility for his or her safety and the visitor agrees to assume the full responsibility for all risk of bodily injury, death, disability, illness contracted and property damage as a result of participating in SHRINES. By taking part, visitors agree to the risks involved in participating in SHRINES and willingly and voluntarily accept these risks. Further, by taking part visitors hereby surrender any right to seek reimbursement from The Arcanists and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers and other agents for injury sustained and liability incurred during participation in the activity described above. By taking part, visitors agree to any and all statements statements made on this Statement of Participation Waiver.