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Submitted by Lisa Bielmeier
Public Relations Specialist
Orleans/Niagara BOCES
For the past three years, Niagara Wheatfield Central School District Art teachers Tracy Bloom and Jamie Gilbert have been collaborating on a stained-glass piece as part of their curriculum. It was designed to help students – many of whom were coming from the Tuscarora territory – feel more connected to the school community. The teachers looked at the mural project to bring all the students together, fostering unity and a sense of belonging.
“Coming out of the challenges of COVID, we wanted the students to create a piece that expressed the idea, if we can count on each other, even in the tough times, we can get through anything,” Bloom and Gilbert said.
The classes were fortunate enough to have renowned Tuscarora artist Erwin Printup Jr. mentor and work alongside them so that they understood the process of conveying meaning. Together, the students came up with the image concept that draws comparison to nature’s independence; how the water cycle, sunlight, plants, pollinators and decomposers all work together and rely on one another to make the Earth rich with natural resources, allowing it to sustain life.
This project was a labor of love for the past three years. More than 50 young artists poured their time, energy and creativity into the project. Each finished panel became a source of motivation, urging them to keep going and to see the vision to the end.
Pictured are the student artists who worked on the glass piece for the past three years, teachers Jamie Gilbert and Tracy Bloom, and visiting artist Mark Placek who also worked with the students.
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