By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Conservators are set to begin restorative work on the Sheldahl Anniversary Fountain located in Bridge Square today, weather-permitting. The work is expected to take up to 8 days to complete. There will be no closure to Bridge Square or disruption to events, but the fountain will be cordoned, and people are asked to stay clear of it while it is being worked on.
According to a statement from the City of Northfield, the fountain is in good structural condition, the sculpture’s surfaces are in a poor state, missing much of the protective wax coating which has allowed corrosion and a mineral crust to adhere. The sculpture needs a conservation treatment to replace the patina and the protective surface coatings so that it returns to good condition and appears as the artist originally intended.
The Sheldahl Anniversary Fountain by Raymond Jacobson has been a fixture in Bridge Square for 45 years. The conservation work is happening this summer thanks to Twin Cities-based KCI Conservation, and funding from the City of Northfield Percent for the Arts Initiative.
Jacobson, an internationally renowned sculptor and former professor of art at Carleton, designed and created the bronze fountain in Bridge Square, as well as the “Harvest” sculpture along the riverwalk near the 5th Street Bridge. The fountain was commissioned by Sheldahl in the late 1970s and presented to the City of Northfield to be installed in Bridge Square.
“The City of Northfield is committed to enriching the lives of the community and guests through publicly accessible displays such as the Sheldahl Anniversary Fountain that connect with all people.”
These repairs are separate from the larger Bridge Square renovation mentioned in Friday’s news.
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