Sutphin Fountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sutphin Fountain |
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| Artist | Stuart O. Dawson (Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay Associates, Inc.) |
| Year | 1972 |
| Location | Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 39°49′33.29″N 86°11′5.54″W / 39.8259139°N 86.1848722°W | |
| Owner | Indianapolis Museum of Art |
The Sutphin Fountain is a cool water feature located at the Newfields campus in Indianapolis, Indiana. It's right next to the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). This amazing fountain, made of granite and concrete, was designed by Stuart O. Dawson in 1972.
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What is the Sutphin Fountain?
The Sutphin Fountain is a large, round fountain that runs all year long. You can find it just north of the main entrance to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It's part of a beautiful landscaped area called the Sutphin Mall.
The fountain has a big circular base. Inside, there's a concrete platform with 352 blocks of white granite. These blocks are all different sizes, and some weigh over a ton! Each block is flat on top, with narrow lines carved into its sides.
The platform is a bit higher than the ground and slopes gently towards the middle. A special drain area surrounds the platform, keeping the garden separate.
Water Jets and Lights
In the center of the platform, 27 powerful water jets shoot water straight up. The water can reach heights of eight to 15 feet! About 10,000 gallons of water are pumped through these jets every minute.
At night, colorful LED lights make the water column glow. There are also colorful lights installed under the edge of the platform, making the fountain look magical.
History of the Sutphin Fountain
The Sutphin Fountain was built after the Indianapolis Museum of Art moved to its new location. It was finished in 1972 to celebrate the museum's second birthday there.
In October 1972, the museum held a big party to open the fountain. There was a brass band, fireworks, and even ballerinas who danced on the fountain! When it was first shown, the fountain shot one narrow jet of water 50 feet into the air.
Original Design and Changes
When it was first built, the fountain had 448 blocks of Indiana limestone. It also had a limestone rim around the central platform. Twenty-two floodlights lit the fountain from inside the water at night.
The Sutphin Fountain was originally at the bottom of the steps leading to the IMA's main entrance. It was the main thing you saw when looking at the museum. Its design was meant to look like an old sunburst pattern. It also hinted at the layout of Indianapolis, which is sometimes called the "circle city." For many years, the IMA's logo was a simple drawing of the fountain seen from above.
Modern Updates
In 2005, the IMA had a big renovation. After this, the Sutphin Fountain got a new role. Instead of being a stark entrance, it became part of a more landscaped area. It's now comfortably placed between the museum café's outdoor seating and the Sutphin Mall. The Sutphin Mall is a sculpture garden with some of the IMA's most famous outdoor artworks.
In 2009, the old floodlights inside the fountain were replaced with LED lighting. These new lights can show 17 different colors that slowly change at night. For special events, the fountain can even display specific color cycles.
How the Fountain Was Acquired
The Sutphin Fountain was dedicated to the memory of Samuel Brady Sutphin. It officially became part of the IMA's collection in 2003.
Who Designed the Fountain?
Stuart O. Dawson is a well-known landscape architect and urban designer. He works with Sasaki Associates, the company that designed the fountain. Stuart O. Dawson has worked on many design projects around the world and has won several awards for his work.
Keeping the Fountain Beautiful
Because the original limestone was soft, the fountain eventually needed repairs. By 1998, the blocks were so worn they were at risk of sliding. A new type of granite from China, which looks like limestone, was chosen to replace the old blocks. Granite is much stronger and heavier than limestone.
So, the fountain's foundation was rebuilt to hold the extra weight. The old limestone rim around the platform was also removed. With these improvements, the fountain is expected to last many more decades. A new dedication ceremony was held in December 1998 after the renovation was finished.
