Statue to César E. Chávez

Title

Subject (Topic)

Subject (Topic)
Davis Park--Rhode Island--Providence
Valley--Neighborhoods--Rhode Island--Providence
Monuments--Rhode Island--Providence

Subject (Name)

Subject (Name)
Chávez, César, 1927-1993

Subject (Object)

Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture

Description

Situated in Davis Park on a circular pad, the statue of César Chávez depicts the activist in contemporary dress: he wears a long-sleeved shirt, belted trousers, and work boots. With a tired smile on his face, Chávez’s right arm is raised with an open hand as if he is caught in the action of waving. His left arm hangs down next to his left leg, and in his left hand he holds two books. The cover of the book on top is embellished with a grape cluster. The statue is surrounded by cherry and apple trees, and other green plantings. On the base of the statue, the artist signed his name "L Retana."

Creator

Retana, José Luis Padilla, 1952-

Source

Photographs by Eric Sung, Professor, Providence College

Date

November 17, 2007

Contributor

Julio César Aragón (Chairman), César E. Chávez Memorial Committee; Providence City Councilman Terrence M. Hassett; Mexican American Association of Rhode Island; City of Providence Board of Park Commissioners; Dr. Pablo Rodriguez; Sarah L. Sheeler and Carl Sheeler; Senator Maryellen Goodwin

Rights

City of Providence, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

Format

JPEG

Language

English

Type

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Coverage

Davis Park, 600 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island, 02908, United States

Has Part

Inscription at base of statue:
Cesar E. Chavez
Sí Se Puede!!!

Artist signature on the base of the statue:
L Retana

Medium

Bronze; Stone

Bibliographic Citation

Davis, Karen A. "Sites Will Honor Parks, Chavez." Providence Journal, December 27, 2005.

"News from the Latino Community: Donations for Statue." Providence Journal, January 6, 2006.

"Improvements Part of Chavez Project." Providence Journal, March 2, 2006.

Ziner, Karen Lee. "Memorial Will Honor Unionist Chavez." Providence Journal, March 27, 2006.

"Metro Digest: Work on Chavez Memorial to Begin." Providence Journal, March 29, 2006.

"César E. Chávez’s Legacy Soon to be Cast in Bronze." Providence Journal, April 1, 2006.

"Latino Community News: Donations for Statue." Providence Journal, October 25, 2006.

"Statue Honors Civil Rights Leader." Providence Journal, December 23, 2006.

Bakst, M. Charles. "Chavez Statue: To Remember the Struggle." Providence Journal, March 8, 2007.

"Metro News: Chavez Statue on Display." Providence Journal, July 12, 2007.

"Latino Community News: Chavez Memorial." Providence Journal, November 15, 2007.

"Chavez Memorial Ceremony Slated." Providence Journal, November 16, 2007.

Lord, Peter B. "Irish, Latino Memorials Designed to Inspire." Providence Journal, November 18, 2007.

Bakst, M. Charles. "Irish Famine, Chavez Offer Messages for Today." Providence Journal, November 25, 2007.

Galeria Retana (José Luis Padilla Retana). Accessed June 15, 2025. https://www.galeriaretana.com/.

Nuestras Raíces: The Latino Oral History Project of Rhode Island. "Rhode Island Latino History: César Chávez and the National Boycott." Accessed June 15, 2025. https://nuestrasraicesri.net/LatinosinRITimeline1969.html.

"The History of ¡Si Se Puede!" United Farm Workers. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://ufw.org/research/history/history-si-se-puede/.

Rights Holder

Department of Art, Culture, Tourism, City of Providence

Dublin Core