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THEMARICOPAMOD.COM / ARTS & CULTURE

Fountain Hills gets a brand new addition to the Avenue of Fountains

The art piece will sit atop the platform on the avenue's west end.
PUBLISHED AUG 6, 2024
Ben Schader settled on the current design because of the inspirational nature of light and its effect.
Ben Schader settled on the current design because of the inspirational nature of light and its effect.

Fountain Hills, Arizona: The long-anticipated installation of the Fountain of Light sculpture will be on Wednesday, August 7, on the Avenue of the Fountains. The art piece will sit atop the platform on the avenue's west end. A large crane parked on the Avenue of the Fountains will hoist the sculpture onto the pedestal.

The north side of Avenue of the Fountains from Verde River to La Montana will be closed from 4am until approximately 5pm for this installation. 

Back in 2020, as the fountain at the center of the town, celebrated its 50th anniversary, it was decided to commemorate the date by getting local artist Brian Schader to create a new sculpture for the town's public art collection.

This glass spire, inspired by our fountain, represents what it means to all who live and visit Fountain Hills.
This glass spire, inspired by our fountain, represents what it means to all who live and visit Fountain Hills.

“Many factors needed to be addressed that are not necessarily considered in the execution of smaller works of art,” said Schader. “Important issues of mass desirability, public safety, longevity, logistics, maintenance, and potential vandalism had to be considered.”

Schader settled on the current design partly due to the mass appeal, but more importantly, due to the inspirational nature of light and its effect. “My vision for this elegant spire is to sit proudly on the Avenue of the Fountains, greeting visitors and residents alike as they approach one of the most frequented boulevards in our town.”

Schader worked with the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association to ensure that the indirect interior lighting of the sculpture would stay within the town’s dark sky-friendly lighting codes.

The seating area at the base was designed to create a relaxing spot to reflect and take in the beauty of Fountain Hills. Integrated into the base design will be bronze plaques to provide a bit of history of the town, past mayors, and recognition for those patrons who made the installation possible.

The sculpture was sponsored by the Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association with the Town of Fountain Hills and the Public Art Committee as part of the Fountain at 50 Celebration.

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