'Abandoned art' project hitting the area

Heather Gierman is sharing her art, fresh air and sunshine with the Blue Water Area.

Gierman, a Clyde Township artist, has started what she calls the "Abandoned Art Project." 

"I'm just doing it because it's fun," the 41-year-old said. 

So far, about a half dozen pieces have been discovered, with an additional seven scattered from Port Huron and Lexington Thursday. 

Gierman collects driftwood and interesting rocks from around her home and along local waterways. She paints a local scene on each one — lighthouses and the Blue Water Bridge are common themes. She said each piece, because they're small, doesn't take her long to complete. She finishes it with a coating so it can withstand being outdoors. 

"I've been here my whole life and I can't get over how beautiful it is," she said. 

The premise of the project is simple — Gierman paints the pieces, places them in different areas, takes a photo and posts it on Facebook. Then the hunt is on. Anyone who finds one gets to keep it. 

She only asks that finders post on her Facebook page that the work has been found and taken home. Locations have included St. Clair, Marysville, Port Huron and Lexington. 

Margaret Faidley of Fort Gratiot has found two so far. 

"I think it's awesome, I think it's really cool," she said. "It gets the community involved; it's like a scavenger hunt."

Faidley moved to the area from Lansing in December and said the art works perfectly with her nautical decor. 

While she had to tend to a fussy grandchild and was unable to head out Thursday, she said several of her friends were texting her while on the hunt. 

They included her daughter, Nicole Williams of Fort Gratiot.

She said she just missed getting a piece of abandoned art Thursday. As she pulled into Pine Grove Park she saw a girl grab it. 

"I got beat to it by like 30 seconds," she said. 

The first piece she found she gave to her mom for Mother's Day. 

"I think it's amazing," Williams said. "I think the woman needs some huge recognition for what she's doing. It's making people get off their butts and do something, plus the art is awesome." 

She said she takes her two children with her when Gierman places art on weekends. 

"It's a thrill for all of us," Williams said, adding she found another piece near the Blue Water Bridge later Thursday. 

Gierman said the project is also to get people out to enjoy the area. She said the positive response from the community has been great. 

"It gives you a good feeling," she said. 

While the project does give her and her art exposure, Gierman said it is more about bringing some good to the community. As an endoscopy tech at McLaren Port Huron, she said she often sees the bad and sad side of life. 

"I see so much bad and I see these heroin overdoses and it is sad ... I just want to let people know to get out there, grab a loved one ... It gives you a good feeling."

Gierman plans on abandoning art throughout the summer, and depending on the level of interest, may continue into the winter. 

You can follow the project at facebook.com/Abandoned-Art-Project-St-Clair-County-123812894856222.

Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.