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Reynaldo "Sonny" Rivera, Seated Portrait of Herbert Candelaria

On view in the Amphitheater

sculpture garden 2020

Reynaldo "Sonny" Rivera
born 1938 Mesquite, New Mexico; lives Albuquerque
Seated Portrait of Herbert Candelaria
1987
bronze
Albuquerque Museum, museum purchase, 1985 General Obligation Bonds
PC1987.12.1.A-B

Seated Portrait of Herbert Candelaria was created to honor Herbert Candelaria’s long career and dedication to Albuquerque Museum. He started working at the Albuquerque Museum in 1968, at the former airport building and became the first and only security guard at the current location. When he left the Museum in 1980, he was the last original staff to leave. Herbert’s familiar face greeted visitors at the front entrance, ready to offer assistance, information, or just a smile. Sonny Rivera created the sculpture with an empty chair as an invitation to sit in the statue’s company.