FLINT, MI -- Decades of painted well wishes, memorials, and art mysteriously peeled away from the Rock Wednesday, June 11, leaving the memories piled around the iconic block of cement.

Layers upon layers measuring several inches thick of paint looked similar to rolled carpet in front of the Rock -- a cement block Flint residents paint to celebrate birthdays, remember loved ones, announce events, share art, and other life events and Hammerberg and 12th Street in Flint.

While the cause of the peeling is unknown, Cassie Karas, a student majoring in art at the University of Michigan-Flint, had her own theory. Karas said oil and water based paints don't adhere to each other, and an oil base paint will take a day or more to dry.

"Oil based paint takes several days to dry, and people are painting that thing every day sometimes." Karas said.

It is unknown at this time what caused the peeling and what plans if any will be made to clean up the paint.