Students passing through the Union Underground on Nov. 6 were met with an unexpected splash of color: paintbrushes, splattered palettes, decorated rocks and a table full of students creating prehistoric-inspired artwork. From late morning into early afternoon, the Washburn Players hosted “Prehistoric Painting with Players,” a relaxed rock-painting event tied to their upcoming caveman-themed show “Fire Bringer”. Anyone walking by was welcome to sit, grab a rock and add their own creative twist.
Some students arrived intentionally, but many joined simply because the setup caught their attention.
Utsav Poudel, senior computer information sciences major, said he stopped when he noticed others painting. He had never painted a rock before and laughed as he described it as regular painting “just on irregular surfaces,” enjoying the quick creative break in his day.
The event also opened the door for conversations about Fire Bringer.
Elliot Pruitt, treasurer of the Washburn Players, explained that rock painting fits the show’s prehistoric style and offered a fun, approachable way to draw people in. Students painted while asking questions, picking up posters and chatting with those involved in the production.
Others participated purely for the art.
Ethan Rentier, freshman industrial maintenance major, said he enjoys painting and saw the event as an easy creative outlet between classes. His rock evolved into what he jokingly called a “Bisexual Grimace” after he started with bisexual pride colors and leaned heavily into the purple. He planned to take it home and display it.
Grace Thacker, sophomore art major ,moved between talking with visitors and painting alongside them, appreciating the steady flow of students who took a moment to unwind. She created a hand turkey inspired by a moment in “FireBringer,” in which a character discovers their specialty in hand turkey paintings.
By the time the paints dried, the table was covered in everything from bright gradients to cave-style markings. Throughout the afternoon, the players connected with students in a casual, creative way, giving anyone who passed through a chance to pause, make something and walk away with a hand-painted rock, a small reminder of an unexpectedly colorful break in the middle of a school day.
Edited by Arohi Rai and Bidhya Sapkota
