The Library Fountain

Facts

Title: The Library Fountain

Artist: C.E. Van Duzer, a well known 20th century painter and sculptor.

Year Installed: 1969

Location: "The Fountain" was previously located in the entrance of the Polk Library.

Gift

The class of 1969 purchased "The Fountain" as their senior class gift. The copper sculpture rotated, and while doing so, pumped and recycled 36 gallons of water. The $3,500 cost of the sculpture was met by the $10 graduation fee paid by seniors graduating in both January and June of 1969. Only $3 out of each student's fee was used for the purchase. C.E. Van Duzer brought the fountain to Wisconsin from Cleveland, Ohio to personally install it. Everybody looked forward to the fountain's installation, and the purchase was a success. By 1972, the Advance Titan in a November 30th article stated that many staff and students were not happy with fountain.  Professor of sculpture, Milton Gardener, declared it a "total disaster." A librarian stated it "was more trouble than it was worth."  The specifics of the fountain's removal and current whereabouts are unknown.

Photos