Glendale Students Find Their Muse in Centerline Fire Hydrants

Some artists work on canvas, others in ceramics, marble or steel. But a few young Glendale artists find their inspiration in one hot medium - fire hydrants. City Beat video | Youtube video

Proving that fire hydrants can be works of art, 836 Glendale school children submitted designs for repainting fire hydrants in Glendale’s Centerline District, an area located along the Glendale Avenue Corridor from 43rd to 67th avenues, and between Ocotillo Road and Myrtle Avenue. Of the 836 submittals, 59 fire hydrants were selected to represent the 59 square miles that Glendale services today. The painting began in March 2011, making Glendale the first city in the Valley to turn fire hydrants into public art.

The project was coordinated by Glendale’s Economic Development Department in partnership with the Glendale Fire Department and the Glendale Unified School District. The designs were submitted by students in kindergarten through 12th grade and were reviewed by a group of local artists and city employees. The winning designs are being painted by professional artists who have participated in Artwerks First Saturdays.

“The fire hydrants add an exciting element to the artistic vibe that helps define the Centerline district,” said Justine Cornelius, Glendale Arts District coordinator. “They are a point of pride, not only for the students who designed them, but for the whole area. It’s just one more initiative that’s helping revitalize the Centerline District. We felt that these ideas needed to come from the community itself with the arts educating and empowering the children of our city.”