LG Painted Rock Program Explodes Amidst Pandemic
Connections can be hard to make and especially hard to continue to make during this uncertain time, but little things can make the world a better and bearable place. Here in Fayette County those little things happen to be rocks, yes, rocks and not only rocks, but La Grange “Rocks”! La Grange “Rocks”! is a Facebook page made by Pat Corb in an effort to spread happiness, love and inspiration through the simple gesture of painting rocks and “hiding” them throughout the community for people to find.
Corb started La Grange “Rocks”! in 2016 and throughout the years the page has had a steady following, but once the coronavirus left many children and their families quarantining at home the page has grown a new initiative. “This is a community-building group meant to inspire creativity in all ages and bring kids and families back together again in a world gone completely wild,” said Corb. “People have a desire to connect with others and I believe painting rocks is a way they may feel they can reach out and touch someone without physically doing so.”
Katy Michalke, whose family has participated with La Grange “Rocks”! on and off over the years, sees how important and fun this new rock initiative is. “Almost every evening since the pandemic started, my family and two neighbors walk and ride bikes through town and we immediately noticed many other families out doing the same and thought how much fun it would be to start painting rocks again and leaving them all over town for others to find,” said Michalke. “The entire process is a lot of fun for all ages! From finding good rocks to paint, painting them, hiding them, seeing them moved and then seeing people post pictures on the La Grange “Rocks”! Facebook page of the rocks we have hidden.”
Interested? Well all you have to do is find some rocks, whether outside or from Sutherlands, Home Depot, etc. and buy some painting supplies, like paint, Sharpies and gloss, etc., get creative and then “hide” your rock somewhere around town for someone to find. On the back of your artwork, Corb would love if you referenced La Grange Rocks! She also recommends once you are done painting your rock, that you seal it with a clear coat before hiding it to protect your art from the elements. Now if you find an art rock, you can either keep the rock or re-hide the rock for someone else to find and of course post pictures on the Facebook page of your painted rocks before you hide them and also when you find them.
This is so much more than artistry or recognition. Michalke said, “The quote, ‘Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always,’ is why we paint rocks. These painted rocks, regardless of what they look like, what they say or who made them, are little hugs or little “pick me ups“ to each person who finds them. They just make you feel good and might help someone get through a hard day or a hard season in their life.”
This is especially true now when many of us can feel lost or miss people who we haven’t been able to see, so next time you are safely out and about, look around more often because you never know what type of connection might just be “hiding” in plain sight. Now join the La Grange “Rocks”! Facebook page to see why La Grange really rocks!