Storyteller fountain

The Storyteller fountain is a fountain located in the heart of Five Points South in front of the Highlands United Methodist Church where 20th Street South, 11th Court South & Magnolia Avenue South converge.

Designed by Frank Fleming and installed in 1992, the fountain is a popular local landmark containing bronze sculptures of fairytale creatures. The sculpture's central figure, with the head of a ram, has been misinterpreted by some as a satanic symbol.

In June 2007 city workers drained the fountain and painted the interior, below the figures, a bright blue color. No reason has been given publicly for the change, which was harshly criticized by Birmingham News columnist John Archibald. Archibald contacted Fleming about the matter. The artist responded "I guess these days when a city owns a piece of your work it can paint the pedestal whatever color it wants."

On July 2, the city began repainting the fountain's interior black, offering no explanation other than citing their own failure to get approval from the Birmingham Design Review Committee for the change.

References

• Archibald, John (June 24, 2007) "Southside art is singing the blues." Birmingham News.

External links

• Photos of the blue-painted fountain at Archibald's "Archiblog."