The Timaru Herald 28 Feb 2017
TESS BRUNTON
Four-year-olds Bellah Doyle-Geddis, left, and Cooper Hamilton find the perfect hiding spot for their masterpieces.
South Canterbury residents and business owners are getting involved in an international craze which recently reached Timaru.
Labelled a ‘modern day treasure hunt’, the TimaruRocks group was established to help spread the craze which sees participants paint rocks and hide them in public places for others to find, re-hide or keep.
Timaru artist and graphic designer Roselyn Fauth, who started the TimaruRocks Facebook page in late January, estimated there were more than 1000 rocks hidden in public places across Timaru.
Within two days, the group had more than 300 members after Fauth painted rocks with the page name and hid them around the Aigantighe Art Gallery.
‘‘The rocks have highlighted how much the community has been looking for a creative outlet,’’ Fauth said.
The group will launch a collection of painted rocks, with busi- ness logos, for people to win prizes from Sunday at a Children’s Day event, she said.
Todd Mudie Group and The Warehouse had donated paints and prizes to aid the group. ‘‘Hopefully more organisations will follow suit.’’
TimaruRocks Facebook page co-administrator Bec Bisman said her family was obsessed with the craze which she said had ‘‘taken off worldwide’’.
‘‘Up north, businesses hide rocks with their logo or the like on them and if found, the rock is redeemable for a prize,’’ Bisman said.
‘‘The kids love the hunt and parents are ever more becoming the ones who will stay up enjoying the painting,’’ she said.
West End Kindergarten head teacher Rachel Pringle said the children had painted and hidden 20 rocks last week.
‘‘I don’t think it’s going to fade out,’’ Pringle said.
The Aigantighe Art Gallery will host a Children’s Day Rock Picnic on Sunday from 11.30am .