The Design Process
The Designer
The fountain, designed by Claude Cormier for Toronto’s Berczy Park, was the inspiration for the South Main Plaza fountain.
After meeting with Phil and Mary Samuell, and their golden retriever, Sandy, Cormier visited the South Main Street site to better understand the space and conceptualize how his work would reshape the functionality of the MVNU property. Claude Cormier + Associés’ award-winning designs have created inviting living spaces in urban areas across Canada and the United States.
The Fountain at Berczy Park, Toronto
Taking Shape
Robinson Iron in Alexander City, Alabama, was contracted to create the molds for the center fountain as well as the animals featured in the plaza. A clay miniature of each dog was hand sculpted. The miniature was then 3-D scanned and rendered in software that designed pattern pieces to create sand molds for casting. An average of 31 pieces are cast for each dog and are welded together.
For example, the golden retriever was poured into 80 separate pieces. Robinson craftspeople then welded the pieces together, sanded the welds, painted the dog with a white primer, and shipped the completed retriever to Cleveland, Ohio, to be hand-painted by artist Jeff Ritchie.
Jeff Ritchie grew up working in his family’s business, Carousel Works, in Mansfield, Ohio. With so much experience painting the carved horses for carousels, Jeff was a natural selection to paint the dogs.
The Casting Process
Artist
Jeff Ritchie grew up working in his family’s business, Carousel Works, in Mansfield, Ohio. With so much experience painting the carved horses for carousels, Jeff was a natural selection to paint the dogs.
The Artist at Work
"This fountain will draw people downtown. They will want to hang out with the dogs while they eat lunch, meet with friends, or just relax and enjoy the humor and joy of life the fountain represents."
— Phil Samuell