A new sculpture called Angel de la Esperanza y Mensajero de la Paz (Angel of Hope, Messenger of Peace) was placed near downtown Puerto Vallarta's Los Arcos by Puerto Vallarta's Culture Department last august 6th. Created by Vallartense Hector Manuel Montes García, the sculpture pays tribute to an angel from Vallarta's recent past: a stone-carved angel previously at the same location that was taken by the sea as hurricane Kenna slammed our bay in 2002.

“I wanted to use bronze to increase its longevity," commented the artist. "I presented the project to local city officials and they offered to cover 50 percent of the cost. The other 50 percent was financed with donors such as (sculptor) Jim Demetro.” A touching legend was carved next to the sculpture's name: Always with the hope of goodness and equality for everybody, wisdom, love, and peace for the humanity.

Born in Puerto Vallarta, Hector Manuel Montes started sculpting at age 14. At 41, he has participated in several solo and collective exhibitions.