This mural by Florian Lopez is a gift from Ciudad Mante, Tampaulipas, Mexico to the people of Boulder in appreciation for medical and cultural exchanges between the two cities. Boulder and Mante became Sister Cities in 2000 as an outgrowth of medical missions initiated by First Presbyterian Church and Boulder Community Hospital.
“When visiting Boulder in 2000, the mayor of Mante offered a gift to the city of Boulder of a mural by Mante muralist Florian Lopez. The artist visited Boulder in the spring of 2001 to refine the proposed design and began four months of work on-site in June. The mural, dedicated in August of that year, is sited on the north-facing wall of the Dairy Center for the Performing Arts.
The following are the translated words of the artist, Florian Lopez, describing the motive for the elements of the painting:
The principal motive of the mural is represented in the stars that transform themselves from the heavens into white doves that carry the message of peace and love to Mante. They represent the doctors and nurses from Boulder Community Hospital who have worked on a voluntary humanitarian mission, bringing with them health and hope to thousands of needy people in Mante and to the region of Tamaulipas. The mural hopes to depict the most pure and brotherly appreciation from the region of Mante to the people of Boulder.
Early in 2002, Florian Lopez opened his own art gallery and studio in Mante, the first fine arts gallery of its kind in the city.”