Padre Felix Varela Monument, (sculpture).

Padre Felix Varela Monument, (sculpture).

Smit, Marc Andries, 1954- , sculptor.

Cabarrocas, David, architect.

Johnson Atelier, founder.

Padre Felix Varela Monument, (sculpture).

1997-1998. Cast April 1998. Copyrighted 1998. Installed May 20, 1998.

Digital Reference:

Medallion: W. 3 in. x Diam. 36 in.; Base: approx. 10 x 25 x 15 ft.

ANDRIES - 98 (Text around border of medallion:) PADRE FELIX VARELA/U S A NEW YORK - SAINT AUGUSTINE - LA HABANA CUBA/ 1788/1853

(Text plaque on left wall of concrete structure:) PADRE FELIX VARELA HAVANA, NOVEMBER 20TH, 1788/ST. AUGUSTINE, FEBRUARY 25TH, 1853/PADRE VARELA WAS AN EXEMPLARY MEMBER OF BOTH THE CUBAN AND NORTH AMERICAN COMMUNITIES./HE WAS AN EDUCATOR, PHILOSOPHER, ORATOR, LEGISLATOR, AUTHOR, SOCIAL REFORMER, AND PATRIOT./HE DEFENDED LIBERTY, HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, EDUCATION FOR ALL AND THE/BETTERMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN./HE IS CONSIDERED THE FOUNDER OF CUBAN NATIONALITY./HE ADVOCATED FOR THE POOR, THE HOMELESS, THE SICK, MINORITIES AND IMMIGRANTS, ALWAYS/PRACTICING CHARITY TO A HEROIC DEGREE./HE WAS VICAR GENERAL OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK FROM 1837 UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1853/PADRE FELIX VARELA FOUNDATION OF MIAMI. MAY 20, 1998 (Same text appears in Spanish on text plaque on right side of concrete structure) signed Founder's mark appears.

Bronze bas-relief medallion depicting scenes from Padre Felix Varela's life, inset into concrete structure with side panels. The medallion includes the face of Padre Felix Varela and depictions of his right hand holding a book and his left hand in an open palm gesture. Also shown is the Church of the Transfiguration, New York, with three oak trees (symbolizing his intellectual and moral strength) and a boulder (representing his unyielding faith) (upper left); Seminar San Carlos, Cuba, with 3 Royal palms (lower right); the Island of Cuba; and the Chapel Tomb, Mausoleum (St. Augustine) where Padre Varela was placed after his death in 1853 (lower right).

Portrait male -- Varela, Felix -- Head

Figure -- Fragment -- Hand

Occupation -- Religion -- Vicar

Occupation -- Other -- Reformer

Object -- Written Matter -- Book

Landscape -- Cuba

Architecture -- Religious -- Church of the Transfiguration

Landscape -- Tree -- Palm Tree

Dress -- Accessory -- Eye wear

Ethnic -- Cuban

Ethnic -- Hispanic

Outdoor Sculpture -- Florida -- Miami

Administered by Metro Dade County, Art in Public Places, 111 N.W. 1st Street, #610, Miami, Florida 33128

Located West Dade Regional Library, 9445 S.W. Coral Way, West entrance exterior, Miami, Florida 33175

The sculpture commemorates Padre Felix Varela (1788-1853), 18th century Catholic priest. Cuban born, U.S. social reformer, Vicar of New York, writer, philosopher and educator. The sculpture was commissioned by the Padre Varela Foundation, Miami Chapter. Architect David Cabarrocas drew plans for submittals based on the design, drawing and sketches provided by Marc Andries Smit. The sculpture was cast at Johnson Atelier. A time capsule was buried under the monument, to be opened on the Tercentennial anniversary of Padre Felix Varela's birth, on Nov. 20, 2088.

IAS files contain May 1998 Artist Statement regarding the memorial, and related newspaper articles from El Neuvo Herald, March 1, 1998; Diario Las Americas, May 20 & 22, 1998, and Miami Herald, May 24, 1998.

Smit, Marc Andries, 1998.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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