Students from Powhatan High School gathered in the building’s central courtyard April 25 to dedicate the space to those who were lost during the Holocaust.

A sculpture created by art teacher Carol Baltimore’s Art IV class had been placed in the grassy area of the yard, and was surrounded by garden stones the students had decorated.

“This is given in memory of those who have suffered injustice,” said senior Paul Woodson, one of a group of students who helped dedicate the graceful metal sculpture adorned with butterflies.

As the students spoke, a host of butterflies were released into the warm spring breeze.

The sculpture, the garden stones and the wooden benches placed around the courtyard were all part of Pavel’s Garden, a project made possible by an $8,000 grant from the Partners in the Arts program. The project was intended to integrate various vocational and academic subjects in the execution of the work.

Students in English teacher Tracey Ingle’s class had been studying the book Night, by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and working with Dr. Chapman Hood Frazier, a visiting professor and poet from James Madison University. Frazier guided the students over the course of the year as they created poems based on what they were learning of the Holocaust.

Students were also able to work with dancer Julie Mayo and metal artist Bill Thompson over the course of the project.

The dedication day included an inspirational talk by Holocaust survivor Alex Lebenstein, as well as student-written poetry and interpretive dance performances.

Baltimore said she and other teachers in the school had been hoping to find a good use for the open courtyard area since the school first opened, and the memorial garden seemed to be the perfect fit.

The project began as a partnership between the art and English classes, but ended up encompassing vocational disciplines as well.

“It ended up being a really educational but fun project too,” said Baltimore, adding that she hopes students will come to the area to read and study.