ALLEGANY, N.Y. — A few of the medallions are in memory of beloved coach Frank Martin at Allegany-Limestone Middle/High School, another has a heart-shaped center while another contains a scene of mountains with a moon in the background.
The aluminum medallions, created by art students and welded together in a half-moon shape, were recently placed in the center of the Healing Garden at the Allegany-Limestone campus. Each medallion is in memory or honor of students, teachers and individuals.
Math teacher Linda Dodd-Nagel, who coordinated the creation of the Healing Garden several years ago, said the art piece is a work in progress as students are expected to add medallions in the upcoming years to create a sphere-shaped art piece.
“We always wanted to have some sort of structure in the middle of the garden,” Dodd-Nagel said of the Healing Garden located behind the campus. “When the Healing Garden committee met, we thought it would be a great idea to have the students do this” as the garden was created through student-raised funds.
With that, the committee approached high school art teacher Pete Goergen to have his students create an art piece. She said Goergen came up with five different scenarios for the art piece and the committee chose the project they liked best.
“We figured (the current project) was the best because the kids could actually create the medallions and build this,” Dodd-Nagel explained. The medallions, made from donated aluminum, were then welded together by Denzil Beatty, an Allegany-Limestone High School student who attends welding classes at BOCES.
The genesis of the garden stretches back to 2015 when students at the high school, under the guidance of Dodd-Nagel, began plans to create a garden that would provide a peaceful area on campus where all could reflect and enjoy the beauty of the landscape. Funds for the garden were raised by several student clubs, organizations, classes, teachers and community members. Instrumental to the construction and design of the garden were Gordon Scott of Scott’s Landscaping Services, and Duggan & Duggan contractors.
Funds continue to be raised from the sale of memorial bricks which are located in the walkway of the garden. Additional monies for the garden are expected to be raised in the future by upcoming classes and clubs.
Over the past year or so, a number of classes have taken advantage of the garden to sit and read, write poetry, draw, or simply enjoy the view, Dodd-Nagel added.
Goergen said the current art piece, created by approximately 150 students, represents about one-fourth of the structure. He said the medallions were designed and cast in aluminum by the students. Goergen, who will retire after 25 years of teaching, said work on the the art piece will be continued next year as well as in the future by his replacement, Theresa Heinz.
The art structure, which was unveiled at the annual arts festival at the school, is the latest phase of work in the garden, Dodd-Nagel continued.
“The structure will always be a work in progress,” she said. “Students will have a chance to continue working on medallions and adding it to the structure as time goes by.”
Because of the continuous work, donations will be needed.
“We can use donations for shade trees, extra flowers and maintenance every year,” Dodd-Nagel concluded.
All donations can sent to the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation: Allegany-Limestone Healing Garden online at foundation@cattfoundation.org or call (716) 301-2723.
