ESTEVAN - Estevan’s rock snake family keeps growing.
Last summer Brae and Maddyn Wolensky and their mother Kaylyn started a rock snake, which by the end of summer reached over 500 rocks in length. The snake hibernated at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum over the winter, and this year they split the mother snake into three pieces. The hope is that the snake family will keep growing with the help of the community and one day will set a record.
Kaylyn said that since the snake grew too big for its original location last summer, the family decided to split it up to allow for more growth.
The three snakes, which consist of rocks painted by the Wolenskys as well as by many community members last year, now inhabit three locations. The girls placed the first baby snake at the original spot by the walking trail adjacent to Rooney Road. The second offspring is over by the hospital alongside the walking path at Hawkes Bay. The third rock snake resides in the free part of the Woodlawn Regional Park by the trail behind Fresh Air Fitness.
"It's hard to find a place to put it that's not on the walking path because it can be a tripping hazard. And you don't want to put it on the grass where it's going to be mowed over. So, it's hard to find a spot," Kaylyn said. "[We also wanted to find locations] that are in well-travelled areas for people to see. We thought of Woodlawn, too, because of campers, they might come and see it and support us."
The new snakes were put out in the last weeks of May, and they originally consisted of most of the rocks that were painted last year. Kaylyn said that some faded due to rain and weren't painted rocks anymore, so they were left out.
The snake started as a COVID project, which gave Brae and Maddyn something to do when many other things were on pause. The community engagement turned it into a fun game and inspired the girls to keep going with the exciting project.
"We go and check it, we go down the rocks to see if there's any more added on," Kaylyn shared.
For the art to stay on the rocks, the Wolenskys use acrylic paint from a dollar store, as well as nail polish. And the rocks that turn out really nice are sprayed with a clear coat. Kaylyn added that there were a lot of really good rocks that people contributed to the snake last year.
Towards the end of the season, the Wolenskys will try putting the three snakes back into one to see how well the community has been feeding their rock pet.
The Mercury will follow the growth of the rock snakes and will keep you updated.
