The “Rock House” on State street has become part of the neighborhood’s daily routine during the pandemic. Each day Angelina Pellegrino and her family help create a new rock to add to the 162 rocks that have been placed in front of their house across from Centennial Park.
The collection has now spread to her neighbor’s yard.
Pellegrino says each day she gets up at 6:30a.m., spending a few hours making new rocks, usually inspired by passersby from the day before.
Her supply of rocks are endless. And so is her motivation and artistic abilities. Besides making rocks each day, she has painted every room in the family’s home since the start of the pandemic in March.
“I paint, I’m a painter,” says Pellegrino.
Her backyard is filled with rocks along with pieces of road that were used as fill when her backyard was leveled after moving in to her home in 2011.
She says she aims to lift people’s spirits during these trying times.
“People can enjoy the art work and maybe have a giggle, times are tough, I want to make people smile if only for a moment.”
Husband Matthew helps with the heavy pieces, lifting them into place, while 5 year old Lorenzo and 11 year old Carmelina assist their mom with the painting process, covering the rock with a base color, while also creating a few of their own rocks to add to the collection. The family affair has people stopping by quite often to see the new additions.
Pellegrino is a Stylist part time, but the daily rock creations have become her absolute hobby.
“I sit out here every morning with my coffee at 6:30a.m. and I watch these people, whether they are joggers, day walkers, people that walk every morning, sometimes new people, and sometimes people that come everyday and they’ll stop dead in their tracks and say, I come by here everyday and we look forward to the new rocks that come out.”
Now Pellegrino is even taking requests from people.
Her favorite rock painting is Big Gay Al, a character from from South Park.
None of the rocks are for sale says Pellegrino, and she plans to continue her new found hobby until about November.
“I’m going to continue this until I run out of rocks. Come fall we will take out all the rocks and bring out all the Christmas trees.
Last year the family set up 25-30 decorated Christmas trees with lights in their side yard. Pellegrino says she is looking to add more trees to the collection and will take any kind of tree if you contact her on Facebook.
Everyday the rocks are sprayed with an acrylic sealant to protect against moisture.
“It really has taken a life of its own and I love hearing from parents that walk down the street that their children ask to come by and see the rocks. That’s why I do it, love hearing about the kids.”