The red sail in the sunset (or sunrise) that was chosen as public art for Broadway in Fargo appears to be without a wind. That is, a fund-raising wind. The deal was this: Once a design was chosen, private money would be raised to build the thing. Not happening.
It's really not a sail, although it looks like one in the artist's sketch. It's supposed to be a stylized vertical billboard with designer lighting - a kind of unique welcome and introduction to revitalized downtown Fargo. Nice idea, but without those private funds it's just an idea that has not caught on.
Let's move on to something else - something that might have more meaning, more substance for Fargo as a compassionate world-class city.
Don Johnson has just such an idea.
Johnson is the retired founder of Don's Car Washes. A good man of deep faith, he has a proposal for downtown that combines public art with a greater purpose. It would have significant positive impact in Fargo and thousands of miles from Fargo.
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I met Don a few years ago when he invited me to become part of an early Monday morning Bible study. Several of us get together for breakfast to ponder our spiritual lives in the context of modern life. It's a great way to start the work week.
His proposal is intriguing. "Wellspring of Water for the World" would connect Fargo to the extreme water needs of African villages. Johnson investigated a program of World Vision that partners with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to provide grants for drilling wells in Ghana. That would be the model for Fargo. The symbol of Fargo's generosity would be a downtown fixture - a fountain, a rendition of a classic rural pumpstand or some other public art piece; the central theme would be water.
The goal would be to raise money for the water art and create a permanent endowment to generate money to fund well drilling in Africa. A deep well in Ghana costs about $12,500, provides up to 2,800 gallons per day to some 300 people. In time, thousands who now depend on diseased and polluted surface waters could be drinking clean, safe water thanks to the people of Fargo and the entire Fargo-Moorhead region.
Public art is a good thing. Public art that has a greater meaning and purpose is better. Johnson's "wellspring" for downtown Fargo has the potential for both enhancing downtown and being far more than an artsy billboard.
Don't get me wrong. The original design that was chosen for downtown is appealing. It certainly would stimulate comment. But it has not generated enough interest to attract funding. It appears that even interest among fund-raisers is lagging.
The "wellspring" idea speaks to Fargo's best instincts. It can be attractive public art, which downtown needs. It also can be a symbol of the city's compassion that actually stands for action: funding water works in the developing world.
So far, "wellspring" is just a good idea. The details of funding the sculpture, establishing an endowment and working with World Vision would have to be worked out. But I'm guessing support for Johnson's concept would be wide and deep - that is, fund-raising would be successful.
It's a very good idea. It's worth a closer look.
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Zaleski can be reached at jzaleski@forumcomm.com or (701) 241-5521.
