Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Five of the thirteen large-format sculptures created by international artists during last November's 'First International Forum of Sculptors,' organized by El Centro Universitario de la Costa (CUCosta), have been donated to Puerto Vallarta and now grace public spaces throughout the municipality.

In a ceremony led by interim mayor Rodolfo Domínguez Monroy and CUCosta rector Marco Antonio Cortés Guardado, the new art works were entrusted to residents of the La Aurora, Infonavit CTM, and Los Sauces neighborhoods, as well as users of the El Pitillal linear park and the road to Las Palmas.

The municipal president celebrated this collective effort between his government and "those who find culture a source of inspiration for constructing projects that fortify our city," saying that art is a platform for social transformation. For that reason he recognized the rector of El Centro Universitario de la Costa and all those who made the 2017 Forum of Sculptors possible, as well as the artists who donated their work to the people of Vallarta.

"On this occasion, the sculptures are being delivered to different colonias for the enjoyment of the local people and the beautification of their environment. We want to build a relationship of civic pride and identity in these neighborhoods of the municipality and, at the same time, encourage art and creativity in our children and young people," he explained, adding that public art also strengthens the tourism attractions in this destination.

He also asked the neighbors, and all Vallartenses in general, to make these sculptures theirs, to take care of them and make them a part of their identity, since they already belong to the cultural heritage of Puerto Vallarta.

The rector of CUCosta, Marco Antonio Cortés, recalled that one of the purposes of this project was to provide Puerto Vallarta with public art works that enrich the heritage of its people, "especially in popular areas of the city, where the people have fewer resources, and therefore fewer opportunities to experience the joy of having daily access to large format sculptural works," he said, and thanked the municipal government for its support.

These monumental pieces, built in stainless steel, have been placed in various neighborhoods around the city. 'The History of the Fisherman' by sculptor Jerome Symons (Holland) is in Colonia La Aurora, 'Hombre Murciélago III' by Spanish sculptor Amancio González can be seen at the linear park in El Pitillal, and 'Golden Age' by sculptor Tamás Baráz (Hungary) brightens the plaza in Colonia Infonavit; while the 'Dentro del Unicornio' sculpture by Aldo Shiroma Uza (Peru) stands guard in Los Sauces Park, and the road to Las Palmas, at its junction with Avenida Universidad, is protected by the 'Magic Pen' created by Kemal Tufan (Turkey).