Friday, March 29, 2024

Local rock painting group brings splash of colour to Victoria region

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The world can be a dark and dreary place sometimes. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a little bright spot where you least expect it?

A growing group of artists is helping folks do just that by leaving colourful painted rocks in the nooks and crannies of the Greater Victoria area.

Sooke to Sidney Rock Hunt members paint rocks to hide in trees, parks, businesses, beaches, and anywhere else they can find.

People who find the rocks are asked to share their discovery with the members of the group before choosing to keep the rock for themselves, or put it back for someone else.

It’s an experience that group co-admin Erin Devine says is lots of fun, and even a bit addictive. “It can suck you in,” she says.

Devine has been involved with the group, founded by Kristi Nelson, since about the time it began two years ago. “When I started, my rocks looks like a fifth grader painted them … fast forward to now, and my dining room table is 24/7 rock painting,” she says.

Rock painting quickly became a bonding activity for Devine and her daughter, who was two years old when Devine first discovered the group. “All along, she’s loved painting them.”

The group’s numbers have recently ballooned to around 1,300 members. And while 90 per cent of those members are women, Devine says lots are painting with their kids.

And the activity isn’t limited to lower Vancouver Island; there are hundreds of rock painting groups on Facebook from around the world.

“It’s popular all over the place,” Devine says. “Our [group] is mainly the Greater Victoria area … but having said that, I’ve hid rocks in Duncan and Parksville.”

If you want to participate yourself, it’s easy; rock painting is for anyone and everyone, no matter their skill level or choice of medium. “It works for every creative level,” Devine says.

Check out their Facebook group, and happy hunting!

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Myles Sauer
Former staff editor and writer at Victoria Buzz.

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