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Lake Eola Park
About the Artwork
Life size bronze head of José Martí mounted on black marble. A bronze plaque inscription reads, “1853-1895; Cuba; Patriot, Orator, Journalist, Writer, Poet, Educator, Apostle of Freedom for His Country. ‘Amamos libertad, porque en ella vemos la verdad.’ ‘We love liberty because in it we see truth.’-Jose Marti, 1893” On the sides of the memorial are the names of those who made this memorial possible.
About the Artist
Mark Andries Smit
Born in Havana, Cuba, Marc Andries Smit exiled to the United States as a child. His innate sculptural talent permitted his acceptance into the University of Miami, Adult Center for Cuban Arts and Culture, at the age of 12. By the age of 13, he was the apprentice to the celebrated Cuban sculptor, Juan Lopez-Conde, former Professor of Sculpture at the renowned Academia de San Alejandro (Academy of Fine Arts) in Havana, Cuba. After completing his studies in Political Science, Behavioral Sciences and Art History, he graduated in 1978 from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.
He continued his artistic endeavors with his extensive travels and interest in Mesoamerican Archaeology and European Arts. From 1986 to 1987, he furthered his studies under the tutorship of the noted Spanish sculptor and painter, Ramon Lapayese, member of the British Association of Painters and Sculptors and the Association of Spanish Writers and Artists.
Marc Andries works in a variety of mediums. His sculptures have been characterized as classical and powerful with strong emotional and psychological subjects. He has rendered pieces found in private collections in the United States and in Europe, such as Corpus Christi sculpted for the late pontiff Pope John Paul II and Orange Blossom created for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Among his public artworks are the Padre Félix Varela Monument in Miami, Diaspora bas-relief at San Carlos Institute in Key West and the José Martí Monument in Orlando, FL. His most recent achievements include the Professor Richard Hausler Memorial bronze for the University of Miami School of Law, also Freedom Plaza – a park dedicated to José Martí, commemorating the centennial of the Republic of Cuba and the Father Felix Varela bronze bust at the National Shrine, The Basilica of our Lady of Charity- Martyrs Monument.
Did you know?
A building boom in the first decade of this century brought numerous large works of art to Downtown Orlando.
Discover Art in Central Florida!
For those who have eyes to see, there are hundreds of works of art around them.
This web site provides some information on many of those works of art that can
be regularly viewed in Orange County by any member of the public without an
admission fee. They are outside in public view, or located in an interior area
that is normally open to the public.
Look around this web site and find something that interests you. Then go see it
in person. The information you find here will add to the pleasure of exploring
public art in Central Florida.
If, in your travels around Orange County, you come across some public art that
is not listed here, please let us know so we can add it. If you are aware of
additional information about art or artist that is included here, again, please
let us know. Together we can make this an incredible resource for people seeking
to spice up their life through exploring art.