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By Michelle Nelson
May 16, 2022
Most people have heard of the rock painting effort - paint a rock with an encouraging message and leave it for someone to find. What if "rocks" could be painted and left in a permanent place for people to see, as a means of fostering conversation, helping people feel a sense of belonging, and providing art to bring smiles? That's just what The Kindness Rock & Smiles Community Project is all about. Mural kits were presented to all the high schools in Wicomico County at the recent Board of Education meeting.
The project was originally launched nationwide at Parkside High School in Salisbury earlier this school year, after being tested at Salisbury's 3rd Friday. Kindness Commissioners manned a table downtown, encouraging passers-by to add faces to the 4' x 8' banner of rock shapes. It was popular with kids and adults.
When the banner kit was presented to Parkside, in attendance were the creators of the project - Megan Murphy, founder of The Kindness Rocks Project and John Schlimm, creator of participatory art such as "The Smile that Changed the World (is Yours)."
Last week, kits were given to representatives of James M. Bennett High, Wicomico High, Mardela Middle and High and Choices Academy. The city's Secretary of Kindness, Grace Foxwell Murdock, explained the project, noting that it is a perfect fit during May because it is Mental Health Month. The tagline on the banners reads "One kind word or smile at just the right moment can change someone's life, including yours!" While it's a simple project, it can encourage positive interaction and promote taking care of our mental health.
The kits contain more than the large weather-proof banner. Also included are paint pens, workbooks, and "smile kits" (toothbrushes, postcards and stickers) for high school students to pass on to young children. Kindness is always best when shared!
The Kindness Rock & Smiles Community Projects are now for sale nationwide, and locally the kits were supported by donations to kindSBY through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore's Giving Tuesday campaign.
Want more information on the project? Check out https://krscommunityproject.com/. And remember to like @kindSBY on Facebook to follow kindness.
Thank you to kindSBY and Wicomico County Public Schools for providing the photos.
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