Flowers, trees replace concrete at Marguerite
By Marcy Horwitz CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Merenda Garnett-Krantz, an art teacher at Marguerite Christian Elementary School, and seven-year-old Jordan Blevins spend time in the school's new garden.

A garden now flourishes where an empty courtyard once stood at Marguerite Christian Elementary School.

Japanese dogwoods, Rose of Sharon trees, border grasses, mums, pansies, day lilies and morning glories all bloom in honor of Jacque Minarik, a nationally certified art teacher who taught at Marguerite Christian for six years.

When Minarik left the school to pursue other opportunities, the school rallied behind its beloved teacher to create the garden as a tribute. The Jacque Minarik Sunshine Garden was dedicated last May.

"Jacque brings out the creativity in both kids and adults," says Mandy W. Gray, a guidance counselor at Marguerite Christian. She described Minarik as a dedicated world traveler who incorporates the customs and design elements of other cultures into her own artwork and into her teaching as well.

Minarik's creativity has won her a National Art Teacher of the Year award and a Rotary scholarship, which allowed her to study in Japan. She is also a member of the Teachers Advisory Council of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Students, parents, teachers and others came together to establish the garden. The school's PTA donated a fountain for the space, adorned with Marguerite Christian's mascot, a lion. The parent group also donated tables and umbrellas. When it was time to install the plants, the PTA provided the necessary manpower, and the group has pledged to maintain the garden going forward.

The school's Boy Scout troop made a mosaic bird bath.

Christopher Alton, a VCU student, sculpted a tortoise for the courtyard. Marguerite Christian's fifth graders were only too happy to apply bits of colored glass and stones to "Terri the Turtle." In future years, departing fifth graders will add to the mosaic turtle as a tribute to the time they spent at Marguerite Christian.

Minarik herself designed the stone gardens and painted the benches and a planter.

Today, the garden is used as a "good behavior space." It's a favorite reading spot for students, and teachers often eat their lunches in the garden. Art classes also meet there.

"It's a nice focal point for the school," says Gray.