In colorful craze, groups hide rock art across Northern Virginia
Rock-painting Facebook groups in and around Prince William County have jumped on the bandwagon, tapping into a wider fascination with the hobby that's brought happiness to so many.
Local Facebook groups include PWC Rocks, Woodbridge Painted Rocks, Quantico Rocks, Prince William Rocks, Montclair Rocks, Happy Rocks Nova and Manassas Rocks.
They've joined the latest craze that allows adults and children to tap into their playful side by painting rocks, hiding them, finding other rocks and posting them on social media. It allows them to be creative, bringing joy to strangers and fellow members who may happen upon their rocks.
InsideNoVA spoke to the creator of Manassas Rocks, which had 1,354 members as of Tuesday.
Matt McCourt, of Lake Jackson, said that he grew up in a small town in rural West Virginia. He recalled seeing his hometown deteriorate but noticed on a recent visit that it had changed.
People were painting and hiding rocks, he noticed, pleased with the "hustle and bustle of activity" in a now-groomed atmosphere.
McCourt, who has a grown daughter, Christina, and a son Colin, 6, started painting rocks with his children and wife, Heidi.
"Watching how it brought us together made me think of the bigger picture and how important this connection was to me and what it could mean to others," he said. "...It's given us another reason to sit together as a family, to talk, laugh and create something positive.
Manassas joins craze of painting, hiding colorful rocks
McCourt said that once he started Manassas Rocks, it took off quickly.
Most of the rocks are hidden in Old Town Manassas but they can be found all over.
It's been a great way to keep children off apps and artificial worlds, he said.
"My intention with Manassas Rocks isn't just about passing around little paintings on stones. That's only the platform," McCourt said. "I want it to become a place where we offer support and care to our group through our group. It's a conscious effort to find and connect with others."
The most powerful thing, he said, are "the little ones" seeing and learning from the group's positive effect. They are the ones that will be taking care of "our tomorrow," he said, and this will help teach them how.
According to the group's Facebook page, Manassas Rocks stems from Brevard County, Florida, circa 2006. Then, a Culpeper family was visiting Sanford, Florida, within the county and heard about a Sanford resident's rock-painting and hiding hobby in that town. The local family's daughter inspired a group in Culpeper and it spread to surrounding local areas.
But painting rocks has picked up speed nationally in recent years.
The Kindness Rocks Project kicked off a social media initiative in 2015 that began with Megan Murphy of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After meeting Oprah Winfrey, she began painting rocks as a hobby and would look for signs of inspiration along her beach walks. She eventually turned the interest into a project to bring joy and hope to others.
Eventually, subgroups began to form across the nation and even in other countries.
Heather Lane, of Manassas, is one of three moderators for Manassas Rocks. She has a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old son, both of whom are enjoying the craze.
I love painting rocks," Lane said. "It brings me great joy and it's like art therapy.
Featured Articles Advertisement
Lane, who called the rock hobby "art with heart," said that the Manassas Rocks group members are called Rock Stars.
According to the Facebook page, to participate, "all you need are rocks, paint and creativity."
Many people include inspirational, hopeful or encouraging messages on their rocks. Some provide clues as to where they've hidden rocks, while others say it defeats the purpose.
Some people paint simple designs while others are more elaborate. On the back of the rock, they typically reference the group's name, "Manassas Rocks" and then enjoy seeing those who find the rocks post them on the Facebook page of the same name.
Those who find the rocks have the option of keeping them, or re-hiding them.
Rock artists find rocks everywhere outdoors as well as buy them from local stone centers, nurseries or quarries. They are even for sale online at places like Walmart.
They use acrylic paint, paint markers and pens and typically, Mod Podge and a UV clear coat to seal the paint and protect the rocks from rain, sun and humidity. Spray paints also work as a base coat and some people use glue, glitter, nail polish, ink markers, googly eyes, sparkle gems, stickers, wax or ovens.
Manassas Rocks moderators Billy and Krystal Robertson, a married couple, got involved with the group for the smiles and the way a simple rock can brighten someone's day. They are also enjoying family quality time with their daughter, Harley, 10.
"There are lots of kids and families in our town that can't afford to go out and do things as a family because everything nowadays is so expensive," Billy Robertson said. "This gives everyone rich, poor or in between the same amount of joy and it's free. ... Let's face it, the world we live in now can use some giving and small gestures of love, peace and kindness."
For more, visit Manassas Rocks on Facebook.