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"Mullet Run", a water fountain and art sculpture by Fairhope artist, Ameri'ca Jones Gallaspy, was selected by the Fairhope Committee On Public Art (COPA) to be constructed in the new Fairhope Museum of History Plaza, announced Larry Sims, President of the Committee On Public Art.
COPA chose Jones Gallaspy's design from three finalists. The others were "Double Door To Fairhope" by Nall and "Synchronicity" by Bruce Larsen. Small replicas of each design were previewed at the Eastern Shore Art Center in early April and were on display for public comment at the Fairhope Museum of History throughout April. Jones Gallaspy's design was also the choice of the majority of those offering written comments.
"Mullet Run" consists of five water "gushers" amid 30 bronze mullets on thick rods. The water and wind combine to give the illusion of the mullets jumping. The base will be in the shape of a bowl and will be 18 feet in diameter. It will have a bronze exterior with the inside lined with pebbles and cement.
"Jurors and COPA members voted "Mullet Run" as the best choice for this particular site based on the curves of the bronze bowl and the fish contrasting with the stark lines of the museum building. The design and the aging of the bronze patina will also blend well with the surrounding art pavers. The fish too are symbolic of the bounties of Mobile Bay," said B.J. Cooper, chairman of the COPA Fountain Select Committee.
Jones Gallaspy is from Fairhope and attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah Technical Institute and the New Orleans School of Glass Works and Printmaking. She has received numerous awards and has exhibited throughout the South.
"No one design outweighed the others in any measurable structural, architectural, feasible, economical or practical way. With three proposals so closely in sync, the jury’s decision was based more on aesthetics and appropriateness to the site," Cooper said.
COPA expects completion of the project to take one year. The project is being financed at $100,000.00 from funds raised by COPA’s "Art Takes Flight" Pelican auction last year.
"Mullet Run" by Jones Gallaspy consists of five water "gushers" amid numerous bronze mullets on rods. The water and wind combine to give the illusion of the mullet swimming. The base will consist of concrete, pebbles and bronze. Jones Gallaspy is from Fairhope and attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah Technical Institute and the New Orleans School of Glass Works and Printmaking. She has received numerous awards and has exhibited throughout the South.
APRIL 2008
FOUNTAIN FINALISTS
COPA conducted a competition to select a fountain design for the Museum Plaza which is behind the Fairhope History Museum.The three finalists are Ameri'ca Jones Gallaspy's, "Mullet Run" (shown above), Bruce Larsen's, "Synchronicity," and Nall's, "Double Door To Fairhope." Public Input was sought and considered in reaching the final decision.
"Synchronicity" by Larsen consists of two large heron constructed in tinted concrete and made into a single mold with reinforced steel. Water will eject from the heron’s bills and at the base. Also a native of Fairhope, Larsen graduated in Fine Arts from Auburn University. He is known internationally for taking natural objects found in the environment or manmade objects found in junk-heaps and fusing them into sculptures. The motion picture industry also has been the recipient of Larsen's talents in special effects. Larsen has a long list of commissions, special effects, awards and exhibits.
"Double Door To Fairhope" by Nall (Fred Nall Hollis) features double doors pointing in all directions with cascading golden mosaic pavers on each side. Water will be directed to the top of each mound and then will drip down the steps. Four smaller fountains will surround the doors. The concept is based on the designs of the Mayan civilization. A native of Troy and a current resident of Fairhope and France, Nall received his degree in Art from the University of Alabama. He also studied four years at the Ecole Nationale Superiore de Beaux Arts in Paris, France. Nall has an international reputation working in many mediums and is the recipient of numerous awards. His exhibits are international.
The three finalists were selected by a jury that consists of B.J. Cooper, Fairhope artist; Dean Mosher, artist and officer of the Single Tax Colony; Nancy Rowe, artist; Donnie Barrett, director of the Fairhope Museum; Casey Downing, nationally known sculptor from Mobile; Al Head, director of the Alabama State Council on the Arts; and Ted Metz, professor of Art-Sculpture, University of Montevallo.