Rock on

ROCK ON: Although he is a serious artist who sculpts and paints in acrylics, pastels, and watercolor, George Witham said he has accepted his role as "comic relief" at art shows for his most popular product: painted rocks.

"People are used to seeing jewelry and pottery because that's the norm," said Witham, who lives in Townsend. "You know the kids will love [the painted rocks], but so do a lot of adults. And it's usually not the ones you'd expect."

Witham began painting rocks 23 years ago as a way to entertain his 12-year-old daughter. Surprised by the overwhelming response to a rock resembling a purple Volkwagen Beetle by his daughter's classmates, Witham began selling variations to co-workers at Millipore, where he worked as a graphic artist. Soon afterward, he began taking painted rocks to art shows.

Although he generally charges $40 for paperweight-size designs of animals, people, food, and flowers, his most popular creations - which resemble crushed Coca-Cola and Budweiser cans - are priced higher. He has also been commissioned to paint 45-pound rocks modeled after pet dogs and a cat.

"Just like people see shapes in clouds, I see shapes in rocks," he said. "I let my imagination go and have fun with it."

Witham's rocks and pet portraits will be in this weekend's 18th annual Dunstable Artisans Art Show and Sale, which will also include jewelry, fiber arts, ceramics, baskets, wood, stenciled floor cloths, lamp art, photography, and mixed media. A preview party will take place tomorrow, 7-9 p.m., at Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School in Groton. For more information, visit dunstableartisans.org.

MEMOIR SET TO MUSIC: Kathy Stevens of North Andover said she appreciates the efforts of her cousin, Victoria Griswold, to distribute copies of their grandfather's memoir to family members. She is even more excited about the musical version of the stories in a concert this weekend.

Griswold, who lives in Plainfield, N.J., commissioned composer William McKinley of Reading to write the music for "Growing Up in North Andover," Horace Stevens's nostalgic account of his childhood from 1874 to 1892. Stevens, who died in 1951, recounts holidays in the family home, his experiences attending Phillips Academy, and historic moments.

Kathy Stevens, who lives in her grandfather's childhood home on Academy Road, said the concert will be particularly meaningful because it will be performed at North Parish Church, which he attended as a boy. The concert is free. For more information, call 978-470-1584 or visit essexchambermusicplayers.org.

People items may be submitted to Cindy Cantrell at cantrell@globe.com.