A shell outlined by black Sharpie. Another shell with a single illustrated turtle. A mass of shells decorated with everything from polka dots to rainbows to squiggles and solid colors.
Right now, around 50 of these shells are hidden throughout Mt. Lebanon for you to discover and maybe even take home, thanks to the Hawaiian Island Summer Art Camp at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center.
Art instructor Karen Hartman, Scott Township, first had the idea for this shell project after a trip to Captiva Island in Florida, where decorated shells were left around the island. Many other communities across the country do something similar with rocks. Hartman knew she needed to bring the idea to Lebo.
The campers, aged five to ten, were delighted with the task.
“It’s their art. It’s inspirational. It feels good. When I explained the project to them, they were so excited to do it,” Hartman said.
All students were able to decorate two shells, one to keep and one to leave out in the community. The concept of sharing their art with the world was particularly enticing.
“They were all excited about where they were gonna [leave the shell], and it just warms your heart, you know?” Hartman said. “I mean it’s something they created, and I told them, ‘you may never know who has your shell now’ and they were okay with it.”
So, what should a Lebo resident do if they come across one of these shells, perhaps nestled in a planter on Washington Road, or hidden at Main Park?
“It’s up to the individual who finds it if they want to take it,” Hartman explained. “They take it if it makes them feel good.”
Of course, you don’t need to be an art camp student to leave out a decorated seashell or stone. Anyone can participate.
“It’s just something to make another person feel good that is homemade by you,” Hartman said.