If you wander through the quiet residential streets of Chicago’s East Village, you might stumble on something both absurd and brilliant: Shit Fountain.
Yes, it’s a bronze sculpture of a dog poop pile. Yes, it’s an actual working fountain with water flowing over the top.
And yes, it’s become one of the city’s strangest—and most beloved—hidden landmarks.
The Artist Behind the Fountain
The fountain was created in 2005 by Jerzy S. Kenar, a Polish-born sculptor who has long been part of Chicago’s art scene. Kenar immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s, settling in Chicago and building a reputation for bold, sometimes confrontational public art.
His works can be found in churches, galleries, and public plazas, often blending classical techniques with contemporary commentary. But Shit Fountain might be his most famous piece—precisely because of how unpretentious it is.
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Why a Poop Fountain?
Kenar lived in the apartment building at 1000 N. Wolcott Ave. Like many city dwellers, he was fed up with dog owners letting their pets relieve themselves on his lawn without cleaning up.
Instead of posting a “No Dogs” sign, he turned his frustration into art. A literal, gleaming bronze pile of dog waste, perched on a granite pedestal, with water flowing down its sides.
It was both a neighborhood protest and a cheeky commentary on urban life. In Kenar’s own words, it was “better than putting up an angry sign.”
Local Reaction
When it first went up, neighbors were divided. Some thought it was vulgar. Others found it hilarious. Over time, though, Shit Fountain became a kind of community mascot—quirky, blunt, and oddly beautiful when the sunlight catches the bronze patina.
It’s now a regular stop for walkers, photographers, and urban explorers. Tour guides sometimes include it on “weird Chicago” routes. Out-of-town friends get dragged there by locals just for the laugh.
Details You Might Miss
- Material: The poop itself is cast in bronze, while the base is polished granite. The choice of bronze means it has aged into a dark brown-green patina—uncannily realistic.
- Function: It’s a working fountain, with water bubbling from the top and flowing downward. In winter, when the water is shut off, the frozen shape looks even more surreal against the snow.
- Placement: It sits in a small landscaped corner outside Kenar’s apartment building, right at the sidewalk’s edge, visible to anyone passing by.
- Scale: It’s larger than life—around two feet tall—making the joke impossible to miss.
Cultural Context
Chicago has a rich tradition of public art, from Picasso’s monumental steel sculpture downtown to Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate (“the Bean”). Shit Fountain fits into this tradition in its own way—proof that public art doesn’t need to be grand or solemn to be meaningful.
It’s also a reminder of the city’s grittier, playful side. Chicagoans value art that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Shit Fountain belongs in the same cultural category as quirky oddities like Woolly Mammoth Antiques & Oddities or the Couch Tomb in Lincoln Park.
Practical Tips
- Address: 1000 N. Wolcott Ave (corner of Wolcott & Augusta, East Village).
- Cost: Free—just walk by.
- Best Time: Visit in daylight for clear photos. Evenings can be atmospheric, but lighting is minimal.
- Respect the spot: It’s outside a private residence. Snap your photos, have a laugh, but keep visits short.
- Seasonal note: In summer, the water runs. In winter, the fountain is usually shut off. Snow adds its own ironic flair.
Pair It With…
- Wicker Park (10 min north): Boutiques, bars, and record shops.
- Ukrainian Village (5 min west): Historic churches and Eastern European eateries.
- Antique Taco (a few blocks away): Stylish tacos and horchata milkshakes.
- Empty Bottle (nearby): Iconic dive bar and live music venue.
Why It’s Worth a Stop
Shit Fountain may not rival the Art Institute in importance. But it captures something essential about Chicago: honesty, humor, and a love of public art that surprises you.
Visitors come expecting a joke, and they get one—but also a clever commentary on city life, neighbors, and how art can make even the most ordinary frustrations unforgettable.
It’s crude. It’s funny. It’s weirdly beautiful. And it’s 100% Chicago.
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