Bored on a Sunday afternoon and want to spice up your neighborhood? Why not paint a fire hydrant? Artists in Cleveland, Ohio painted fire hydrants as part of a project called ‘Sparx in the City’.

The fire hydrant was developed over a period of many years by many people as far back as the 1600s. The first fire hydrants resembled faucets and were used for public water supply from the earliest water systems.



This fire hydrant art was part of a project done in Cleveland, Ohio a few years ago as part of a series of art events done around town. I thought it was interesting to include this because art can take on many forms, even with objects that are everyday items that we see all the time and don’t even think twice about.



I also found this artwork amusing because it made me wonder if dogs would get confused seeing this type of fire hydrant and then wonder where to lift up their leg!

I wonder if I can paint a self-portrait of my gorgeous mug on one of these fire hydrants. Of course, I’d probably get fined for scaring the public, if there is such a thing.



My favorite fire hydrant art is the one that looks like a Dalmatian. Which one do you like the best? Have you seen any of these where you live?

Check out more cool fire hydrant art at Sanda Kaufman's website.

If you're curious about fire hydrants, read our story about who invented the fire hyrdant.

Originally published August 2008 and republished May 2015.