Discuss: Reclaiming a Toxic Legacy Through Art and Science

Of course: it’s art.  A work of art causes a flutter in the heart of the beholder (observer, reader, listener).  Great art arouses us to respond, and in this case, Erik Reece lines out for us many examples of artists at work. From T. Allan Comp’s charisma and vision, to the townspeople and volunteers, to the artists, to the author himself, art is the essence. Taking some kind of action for the good of the environment might be the best response readers can have.  Thank you.

I read this article with joy in my heart and tears in my eyes.  Comp’s collaborative art and engineering process records Vindtondale’s history and simultaneously cleanses its environment. When I visited coal mining areas in West Virginia in 2002, I found a lost America. I wondered what could be done for restoration. Now I see.  May we all see and work together.  THANK YOU for this vision of our future.

I’ve been to the Vintondale site for AMD & Art a few times, and it is an amazing story to be able to see the before & after.  Since it is right along the Ghost Town Rail-Trail, it gets lots of extra eyes on it.  A real labor of love and perserverance, and community involvement at many levels.  Hurrah!

To me, the question would be Is this type of project reproducible in other communities to a point where it can gain some prominence in the minds of movers and shakers?
To work and collaborate on a project for 12 years is a remarkable feat, but how many Appalachian coal towns/camps can do the same? I am 100% for more of this effort. However, with the current rape of Mountain Top Removal moving inexorably to make a moonscape out of the region, I want the public to start screaming about that. That is not to say art will not ultimately be the magnet that draws people to the possibilities of community,and culture.

Allan Comp and Lynne Hull, a Colorado-based artist, will be talking about their amazing ecoart and ecoservices work on December 6, 2007, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, at a Green Infrastructure Forum on Creative Collaborations in and for the Environment in Washington, DC.  For more information and to reserve a seat contact me at:

Wow, what a great statement of stamina, dedication and perseverance!  Allan Comp is a remarkable man.  I worked with Allan many years ago and still use his advice and words of wisdom in our efforts of revitalization of our small coal town of Brownsville PA.

It is admirable that Allan has been able to bring a vision to fruition, but additionally he is leaving an example for our future generations to realize that it is very important to follow your passion and dream to ‘make a difference in the world’.

Great article Erik I read every word with great interest.  Best wishes to you Allan and now on to make the world aware that reclamation and art works!!!  Hats of to a great guy and a great concept.

Our leaders have forgoton us but our artists are saving us from ourselves. Than you. Heres to art to the creative minds and to sustainable planning with vision and insight.

I thoroughly enjoyed Erik Reece’s piece, “Putting Art to Work” in the November/December issue. T. Allan Comp’s work was indeed impressive.  We can only hope that others with his wisdom and charisma can convince some of the many other small Appalachian towns that, with some imagination and creativity, they too can dig themselves out of the dark trap they find themselves in.

These towns have such rich histories—and yet so many have fallen on such hard economic times that residents can’t seem to envision themselves ever being part of something productive again. Comp’s project is an example of hope.

As a native of Western Pennsylvania, I was happy to read about the spirits of a town like Vintondale being lifted. And it is great to know that this kind of transformation is due in part to the generosity and tenacity of people – some from outside the region—who care about our country.  That’s community and patriotism at their finest.  And I’m not surprised to see art taking on the role of the unifier!

Regards,

Bill Diskin
Charlotte, NC