The historic “Fountain Girl” statue in Lincoln Park finally gets her voice. Aela Morris, a 17 year-old student at Evanston Township High School, won the teen competition for the Fountain Girl monologue. The Statue is voiced by Chloe Grace, a 14 year-old student at Chicago High School for the Arts and an actress at Austin Town Hall Park. The Chicago Park District co-sponsored the teen writing competition to craft the Fountain Girl’s story. A total of 204 entries were received. “We were impressed with the incredible creativity and ingenuity from all 200 submissions to the Fountain Girl Monologue Teen Competition. It’s a true testament of the incredible talents of Chicago’s youth” said Michael Kelly, General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District. “Aela Morris’ winning narrative and Chloe Grace’s voice brings the bronze girl to life in a very compelling way.”

Launched last August, Statue Stories Chicago is a city-wide project administered by the Chicago Park District and funded by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation that uses technology to animate the city’s most beloved public works of art. Pedestrians simply have to swipe their smartphone on a nearby tag to hear the voice, humor and story of the statue. The city’s iconic statues also feature celebrity voices, which include John C. Reily as Abraham Lincoln, Shonda Rhimes as Chicago’s Miro and Steve Carell as Man With Fish near the Shedd Aquarium. There are 30 audio equipped statues across the city. “Statue Stories Chicago is an innovative way for people to engage with the rich array of public art in the city’s many parks” said Kim Coventry, Executive Director of The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.