By Heather Schroering, Tribune Newspapers
“For more than four weeks, a 5-foot fire hydrant stood in 12-year-old Bela Quintas’ living room in Chicago’s Noble Square neighborhood.
“Bela, a self-taught artist, transformed what was once a white fiberglass hydrant into an eye-catching representation of fire safety, Chicago landmarks and the city’s firefighters.
“Bela is the designer behind one of the 101 hydrants, symbolic of Chicago’s 101 firehouses, to be featured in the public art installation “The Great Chicago Fire Hydrants.” The citywide exhibit debuts Wednesday, Sept. 11 and honors the heroism of Chicago firefighters. …”