The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
TORRINGTON ROCKS
Family hides painted stones, uses Facebook group to initiate hunt
TORRINGTON » Next time you’re walking around Torrington, you might find a bright and colorful rock painted by the Styga family.
Dawn Styga was looking for a summer activity to occupy her sons, she said Thursday, and found Facebook groups in other states centered around painting and hiding colorful rocks.
She decided to bring the idea to the city, where it has taken off. As of Friday afternoon, more than 200 people have joined the Torrington ROCKS Facebook group.
“I was looking for something creative for them to do for the summertime,” said Styga. “So I thought that this would be a fun way to kind of get outside and have some fun, and they can use their creative skills over the summer by painting different designs.”
The activity works like this — the rocks are marked with the name of the Facebook group. If you find a rock, Styga said, you’re asked to take a picture of it and re-hide it somewhere. Then, you post where you found it, and where it is now hidden on the group, and the hunt begins anew.
There’s also room for sentimentality — folks can find the rocks they keep, she said, but are asked to paint and replace it with others.
Community groups and businesses are also taking notice, Styga said. The Torrington Library will hold a rock-painting event on Saturday, July 22, from
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while Act Natural Health and Wellness has scheduled one for this coming Thursday at the next iteration of Pop Up Water Street. Cafe 38 is going to hold a dropin painting event between 10 a.m. and noon every Saturday through the fall as well, Styga said.
“It’s being shared constantly,” said Styga of the adventure.
Torrington is an art-focused community, Styga said, making the rock-painting activity a natural fit.
“The culture here is very entwined with the arts, so I think people are seeing that and think that’s a great way to express their artistic talents.” said Styga. “Being summertime, a lot of people are looking for ways to get down and do something creative with their kids, and get them outside instead of behind a video game — and I think this is a good way to do that.”
Joshua Styga, 10, said he has enjoyed the diversion this summer.
“It’s definitely creative, and like my mom said, it gets people out of the house and not with their (TV or phone) screens,” said Joshua.
He misses the screens a bit, though.
“I like painting rocks, and I also like the screens,” said Joshua — drawing a ‘yeah’ from his brother, Zachary, 6. “But I’d say the outside is better than the screens.”
Joshua comes up with most of the designs, he said.
Stacy Rodriguez, whose sons, Chase, 8, and Jason, 12, were out at Joe Ruwet Park Thursday to hide rocks, said she had enjoyed the activity as well.
“I’m just enjoying myself, being creative and meeting new people in the community,” said Rodriguez.
The Styga family has painted about 50 rocks, Dawn said, and Rodriguez indicated her family had done the same. There’s a palpable demand for the rocks — folks request more when the supply dries up.
“It’s definitely caught on,” said Styga. “People are looking for the rocks, and people are enjoying it.”
“It’s bringing people together for sure,” said Rodriguez.