Join Astrophysicist Dr. Gregory Wirth for a public discussion and exploration into the creation of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope on Friday, November 3, at 7pm at the Delta College Planetarium. 

A pioneer of Chicano art in the Midwest, David Torrez was an award-winning artist and Delta College alumnus who used art to showcase the richness of his Mexican heritage. 

On September 20, 1989, Torrez presented Delta College with the handcrafted 5-foot-tall Mayan “stelae” – an upright inscribed stone slab – entitled “Monumento a La Raza,” which was installed in a courtyard in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The sculpture was recently moved to J Wing to join the other gifted artwork in the Delta Sculpture Walk on the main campus.

“Monumento a La Raza” – which translates to “Monument to Race” – is sculpted out of styrofoam, rubber molding and concrete, telling a visual story with images of maize, warrior kings, eagles, serpent boats, musical instruments and seashells with dates along both sides.

“I remember as a child him explaining that he did deeper cuts because he needed to make the concrete show,” Lisa Sebbe, Torrez’s daughter, recalled.

Torrez died in November 2001 at age 64, but his legacy keeps the Torrez family bonded and lives on as the next generation of family members pursue art. 

“We’re proud, and it feels good to have him still remembered because it’s something that we connect with. It keeps it alive for us, too,” Sebbe said. 

Monumento a la Raza was commissioned by Dr. John E. Vargas D.O., his family and members of the Hispanic community.  It was dedicated on September 20, 1989, by Conce (Sam) and Carmen Olvera in memory of their son Luis.