Public Art Founders Fountain

FOUNDERS’ FOUNTAIN

ARTIST(S): ARTSCAPES (ANDY DUFFORD AND CHRISTIAN MULLER) (DENVER, CO)

NUSZER KOPATZ DESIGN

INSTALLED: 2003

Formerly known as the West Crescent Fountain, this installation is the heart of the 29th Avenue pedestrian and retail district. The granite and sandstone elements of the fountain environment tell the journey of water in Colorado’s arid climate.

The grey stone “river” connects the two water features and the light runnels. The vortex pool also symbolizes the process by which water returns to the earth to fill the aquifers. Notice the granite dome that symbolizes the Colorado Mountains – the source of our water flow. Sandstone columns represent the mountains and valleys carved by the flow of water. Finally, light runnels, the narrow channels for water extending north and south of the grey stone “river,” demonstrate human demand for water.

This project was funded, in part, by an allocation of $450,000 in public art funds provided by the Denver Urban Renewal Authority.