Site Visit

In developing my preliminary design for the angel sculpture, I knew I needed to walk the grounds of El Rio’s bustling Congress campus and experience the site firsthand. I was immediately struck by the building’s use of concrete, iron and glass—elements masterfully woven together by architect Robert Gomez’s 2014 renovation of the original 1978 building. His design expressed a modern sensibility while honoring the spirit of the historic barrio. It became clear that community and architecture had converged to tell a powerful story. It also affirmed my conviction to reimagine an angel through a modern lens.