Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain

Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain

The fountain in 2008
Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain
Location in Portland, Oregon
Artist
  • Lee Kelly (sculptor)
  • James Howell (architect)
Year 1975 (1975)
Type
  • Fountain
  • sculpture
Medium Stainless steel
Dimensions 3.7 m × 4.6 m × 3.7 m (12 ft × 15 ft × 12 ft)
Condition "Well maintained" (1993)
Location Portland, Oregon, United States
Coordinates 45°31′08″N 122°42′20″W / 45.51878°N 122.70559°W / 45.51878; -122.70559Coordinates: 45°31′08″N 122°42′20″W / 45.51878°N 122.70559°W / 45.51878; -122.70559

The Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain, officially titled Water Sculpture,[1] is an outdoor 1975 stainless steel fountain and sculpture by sculptor Lee Kelly and architect James Howell, located in Washington Park's International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon.[2]

Description and history

The abstract geometric fountain, installed in a sunken area of the International Rose Test Garden's upper level,[1] was created and built by sculptor Lee Kelly in memory of Frank E. Beach, who christened Portland the "City of Roses" and first proposed the Rose Festival.[2][3] James Howell served as architect and additional assistance was provided by David Cotter and the architectural firm James M. Howell and Associates. It was completed during 1974–1975 and dedicated in June 1975 as a gift from the Beach family (Frank L. Beach and the estate of Ruth B. Mehlin)[4] in honor of their father.[1][2]

The stainless steel sculpture measures 12 feet (3.7 m) x 15 feet (4.6 m) x 12 feet (3.7 m). It comprises three vertical posts supporting two horizontal posts, plus two smaller vertical posts which stand alone. Accompanying the fountain is a plaque which reads: In memory of Frank E. Beach, 1853–1934 / who christened Portland "The Rose City" / and suggested the annual Rose Festival.[2]

The work was surveyed and considered "well maintained" by the Smithsonian Institution's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in October 1993. It was administered by the City of Portland's Metropolitan Arts Commission at that time,[2] and is now administered by the Regional Arts & Culture Council.[4]

In her book The Garden Lover's Guide to the West (2000), Kathleen McCormack said the fountain "provides cooling water music for hot summer days in the garden".[5] It has been included in published walking tours of Portland and garden tours of the Pacific Northwest.[6][7][8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "International Rose Test Garden – Washington Park". Portland Parks & Recreation. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain, (sculpture).". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  3. ↑ Row, D.K. (October 9, 2010). "Profile: Northwest sculptor Lee Kelly". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Public Art Search: Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain". Regional Arts & Culture Council. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  5. ↑ McCormack, Kathleen (November 1, 2000). The Garden Lover's Guide to the West. Princeton Architectural Press. p. 104. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  6. ↑ Cook, Sybilla Avery (April 2, 2013). Walking Portland, Oregon. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 112. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  7. ↑ Ohlsen, Becky (April 9, 2013). Walking Portland: 30 Tours of Stumptown's Funky Neighborhoods, Historic Landmarks, Park Trails, Farmers Markets, and Brewpubs. Wilderness Press. p. 37. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  8. ↑ Olson, Donald (2014). The Pacific Northwest Garden Tour: The 60 Best Gardens to Visit in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Timber Press. p. 48. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
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