What’s behind all those joyful painted rocks around Tri-Cities

In parks, coffee shops, and riverbanks across the Tri-Cities, small works of art are being tucked away for strangers to discover, rocks transformed by hand into colorful, heartfelt tokens of creativity.

Whether painted with vibrant floral or wrapped in carefully knotted leather, these stones are part of a growing movement centered on art, mindfulness and community connections.

Lynnette Gallegos of Pasco started rock painting during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stuck at home and looking for a creative outlet she stumbled upon Tri-Cities Rocks, a Facebook group where local artists of all skill levels share photos of painted rocks and post clues about where they’ve hidden them.

“I was in a weird place during COVID, and painting became this peaceful outlet,” Gallegos said. “I love that something as small as a rock can brighten someone’s day.”

Her designs vary, from abstract dots to sunflowers to encouraging messages. Each rock is sealed, tagged and ready to be tucked away for a stranger to find. One of her favorite places to leave them? Dutch Bros.

“I drop off rocks at Dutch Bros for the baristas,” she said. “They always seem to appreciate it, and I love the idea of someone getting a coffee and finding a little piece of joy they weren’t expecting.”

That moment of surprise is what draws many artists to the hobby. Sometimes people who find the rocks post a photo in the group, sharing how much the unexpected gift meant to them.

“One woman messaged me saying she found one on a really bad day and kept it in her purse. It reminded her that someone out there cared,” Gallegos said. “I still think about that.”

On the other end of the Tri-Cities art scene another group of locals is transforming rocks, this time not with paint but with leather cord, cane and intricate knot work.

A longtime Kennewick resident, David Cross, has been wrapping rocks for eight years, turning the simple act into both a personal art form and weekly community class at a local retirement home.

What started as curiosity has grown into a small but devoted circle of rock wrappers, with a dozen women gathering every Sunday to learn, create and connect.

“It’s relaxing. Everyone says that,” Cross said. “You sit there, wrap a rock, chat if you want—or not. And you leave feeling better than when you came in.”

While some people assume rock wrapping has Japanese origins, he believes the practice stems from American basket weaving traditions in Appalachia, where cane was used to wrap stones for decoration and practicality.

“They started wrapping rocks with cane before leather was even used,” Cross said. “But cane has limits—it’s flat, so the designs were simple. With leather, the possibilities really opened up.”

Today, his wraps range from simple butterfly knots to complex geometric patterns. His students, some of whom have been with him for years, are now creating intricate pieces of their own, often surpassing their teacher.

“I’ve got ladies in the class who are better than me,” he laughed. “And that’s how it should be.”

His work is shared in a global Facebook group called Wrapped Rocks are Awesome, where artists from across the U.S., Europe and beyond post photos, ask questions and swap design tips. He’s connected with wrappers in Turkey, Australia and Costa Rica, all drawn together by a shared love of this niche craft.

Both Gallegos and Cross see the local rock art movement as more than just a hobby, it’s a way to build connection and joy in unexpected ways.

“There’s something about working with your hands while being in a group like this,” Cross said. “It becomes more than just making something beautiful—it becomes something that connects you to others.”

For Gallegos, it’s also a quiet act of kindness.

“I like to keep a stash of rocks in my car,” she said. “If I see a good spot or want to thank someone, I’ll leave one. It’s such a small thing, but sometimes that’s all someone needs to feel seen.”

Rocks wrapped by Cross are never sold, only gifted or hidden for strangers to find. Each one is numbered and tagged with a sticker inviting the finder to keep it, re-hide it or post a photo online.

“If it brings someone joy, that’s all I need,” he said. “You don’t need a fancy studio or expensive tools to be an artist. You just need a rock and a little heart.”

Whether it’s a painted flower found at a coffee shop or a leather wrapped stone left beside a park bench, these humble creations are helping people slow down, get creative and feel just a little more connected.

This story was originally published August 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM.