Frog Baby Fountain (Ball State University)
Frog Baby Fountain | |
---|---|
Artist | Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons (original artist) Rundell Ernstberger Associates (restoration and fountain) Oberle Construction (restoration contractor) |
Year | 1993 |
Type | Memorial Statue |
Location | North of Bracken Library Ball State University |
40°12′12″N 85°24′26″W / 40.20324°N 85.40730°W |
Frog Baby Fountain is a statue set in the middle of a fountain on the
History
The Frog Baby statue, created by American sculptor Edith Barretto Stevens Parson, resides in a central location on the campus of Ball State University and is a well-known part of the university's rich traditions. The statue depicts a young girl who is brightly smiling at the sky while holding one frog in each of her hands. In the surroundings is a fountain of water with small frogs resting on the edges as they spout out water. The statue commemorates Alexander M. Bracken, who served on the Ball State Board of Trustees for 22 years and is also the son-in-law of Frank C.Ball.[2]
Historically, the statue did not always reside in the pond outside
Currently, the statue resides in a fountain close to the university's library for safekeeping. Students no longer rub the statue's nose for good luck, but they have started a new Frog Baby tradition. Now, students will dress her up based on the changing seasons. During the winter months in particular, it is frequently seen sporting scarves and knit hats to keep her warm. To take further precautions from damage, security cameras have been installed around the fountain. Although these security cameras are not meant to be discreet, mishaps occur every now and then. In 2009, the statue was vandalized with chalk. The drawer drew a pink bikini on the statue.[5] In fall of 2012 Frog Baby was vandalized again when a student sprayed painted her metallic gold. The university removed the statue to be cleaned and restored. Frog Baby was returned to her pond in the spring of 2013 just in time for graduation.[6] On April 10th 2024, Barstool Ball State shared three images of Frog Baby vandalized yet again--this time draped in flowers, along with a dildo and blue plastic bags affixed to its waist with black tape.[7] Barstool, whom captioned the post "Look how they’ve massacred my boy", noted in a comment that they are "not glorifying this act at all", urging students to "not put sex toys on a brass statue of a child".
In 1999, four people attempted to steal Frog Baby. While the statue itself was not stolen, the thieves caused approximately $10,000 in damages to the exhibit and four of the surrounding frogs were taken from the fountain. All four missing frogs were later found and returned.[8]
Artist
Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons was an American born artist. She was born in
Other copies
A common misconception is that the Frog Baby statue at Ball State was made specifically for the university and that it is the only copy that exists. However, another copy of the Frog Baby sculpture resides in Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina as part of the Gallery of Small Sculptures. It was one of 350 sculptures that was acquired by
References
- ^ Frog Baby, Ball State University. (Ball State University Website), Retrieved April 6, 2008.
- ^ Mensching, Liz. ""Frog Baby" vandalized by bikini drawing". Retrieved May 28, 2009.
- ^ "Frog Baby". Ball State University. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
- ^ Smithsonian American Art Museum. "Art Inventories Catalog". Smithsonian Research Information System. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ Prater, Nancy. "Suspects to be charged in Frog Baby vandalism. theft". Archived from the original on 2010-06-05. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ Mishler, Andrew (February 28, 2013). "Frog Baby to cost more than $3,000 to repair". Ball State Daily.
- ^ "Instagram - 'Look how they've massacred my boy' (Barstool Ball State)". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ Dickey, Kelly. "Frog Baby removed from fountain to be inspected". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ "Antiques & Fine Art - Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons - Biography". DeRu's Fine Arts. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-7385-6656-6.
- ^ Smithsonian American Art Museum. "Art Inventories Catalog". Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. Retrieved 5 November 2012.