FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Comments will be accepted by the Art Select Committee throughout April for the three design finalists selected by the Fairhope Committee On Public Art. COPA’s art competition is for for the fountain that will be constructed in the Fairhope Museum of History Plaza.

The three finalists are Ameri’ca Jones Gallaspy, “Mullet Run;” Bruce Larsen, “Synchronicity,” and Nall, “Double Door To Fairhope.”

Comments can be placed in a box at the history museum on Section Street where three replicas of the designs are currently on display. Comments also can be sent to COPA in care of the Eastern Shore Art Center, 401 Oak Ave., Fairhope, AL 36532. COPA will read all comments and make a final determination in May.

“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.

“Synchronicity” by Larsen consists of two large herons 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 Corp.; 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.

PAVER DEADLINE

The Early Bird deadline for purchasing pavers for the Fairhope Museum of History Plaza is Tuesday, April 15. 

Until that date, rectangular pavers cost $50 each, and pavers in the shape of a fish will be sold for $75 each.  Corporate pavers can be commissioned at $5,000 each.  Each paver will contain the signature or name desired by the purchaser.

Contact Deborah Newberry at 454-7901 or go by the Fairhope Single Tax Corp. office, 336 Fairhope Ave., or the history museum on Section Street. 

Checks (include name and phone number) should be made payable to The Colony Foundation and can be mailed to Newberry in care of the colony office address.