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‘Art’ the Inspiring Rock Snake
McCOOK, Neb. — A little over a year ago, Barbie Long painted three rocks, the beginning of a rock snake. She painted the head green and gave it googly eyes, a bright red tongue, and two pieces in pink and purple to start the body. She placed it on the south side walking trail, which her family calls the snake side because her son swears he has seen snakes there twice.
“I started the head and a couple of pieces for “Kelly” the snake to start a rock snake on the Kelly Creek walking trail!! I hope people will join me & nobody vandalizes it. Hope it will bring a smile to those who see it,” Long excitedly shared on Facebook.
As Long walked the trail nearly every day, she watched the snake grow, as did others, all painted by different people, leaving their art for the world to see. This snake was significant to many, including Long’s extraordinary friend, for whom she started it all.
Long is the Director of Community Healthcare and Hospice at McCook Community Hospital, a position she holds with immense care and passion. It’s not uncommon for nurses to develop special bonds with those they care for. When Long began caring for a very creative, sweet little girl with bright red hair, the bond was instantaneous.
“There is evidence-based proof of how healing art is.” Long said, explaining how she and Stella Rose had painted beautiful rainbow rocks to add to the snake. Stella’s friends, many children who attended school and daycare with her, also painted rocks in her honor. Others contributed to the snake’s growth without knowing the sentiment behind it just because it was something beautiful and fun. At last count, there were over 325.
Nearly a year after she started the snake, Long walked by and noticed that part of it was missing. Although the first half was there, somebody had moved the back half. Long said, “I thought maybe it was mowers or whatever, that it just got pushed into the little creek below, but I didn’t see them anywhere.” She needed to go, which prevented her from investigating further.
The next day, when Long walked by, she was devastated. “I felt horrible because when I saw the back half gone, I thought, this is weird, and the sign was gone. The front half was still there; I should have taken them.” Long said with tears in her eyes.
Long recalls some of her favorite rocks, including one that somebody had painted to look like a turtle, with smaller rocks used as the head and legs, and another that resembled Nebraska. Then there were the special ones her great nephews painted and, of course, Stella’s. Now, all gone.
A new rock snake has been started. Long recently shared on Facebook, “I had a very special friend who was one of the most creative, talented, and beautiful people who inspired me to be creative and have other people create art too; she is now gone to be with Jesus, so today I have restarted a rock snake in her memory, and it is now a part of the outside landscape of the inspirational Art Bank.” She thanked Joann Falkenburg and Chad Graff, who generously allowed the use of their property.
With permission from Stella’s mom, Long was able to share the story and dedicated this new snake to remember her. “I would like to introduce Arthur “Art” Bank the Rock Snake!!” Long shared, asking the community to help him grow by adding their art rock pieces.
City officials did respond regarding the removal of the rocks, saying that unfortunately the rocks posed a safety risk and made it difficult to mow along the walking trail.
Arthur “Art” Bank the Rock Snake is on the West side of the ArtBank, located at 108 West D Street in McCook. The Art Bank is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays.