The Story Behind the Symbol:
Conjunto Escultórico PONCE
A Monumental Gesture That Says: We Are Here
At the entrance of Ponce, where Highway PR-52 meets PR-10, five towering letters —P, O, N, C, E— greet those arriving from the north. What many don’t know is that this now-iconic symbol of Puerto Rican identity holds a story just as powerful as its visual impact.
Colloquially known as Las Letras de PONCE, the sculpture’s official title is the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE. More than a set of letters, it is a monumental public artwork charged with cultural meaning, civic pride, and collective memory.
The ensemble was conceived as a visual declaration of presence and belonging. Designed by Ponce-born artist Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe and inaugurated in 2005, it was created to mark territory — to say “this is our place” with strength, clarity, and art.
Made of cor-tén steel and painted in red and black, the sculpture consists of five monumental letters. Each stands twenty feet (20’-0”) tall, eighteen feet (18’-0”) wide, and twelve feet (12’-0”) deep. The letters span both sides of the highway and are positioned so they can be read head-on when entering the city from the north.
The project originated from a national public art competition led by the Dirección de Urbanismo of the Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas (DTOP) de Puerto Rico. Rivera Villafañe’s proposal was selected from among local and international submissions for its bold concept and deep connection to the city of Ponce.
He both envisioned and led the project with artistic conviction and civic purpose. To bring the work to life, Rivera Villafañe appointed Marta Mabel Pérez as project manager and assembled a multidisciplinary team of engineers, artisans, and cultural professionals.
The fabrication was carried out by Alonso & Carus Iron Works, Inc., with the structural foundations designed through a close collaboration between engineer Rafael L. Bonilla and engineer Francis Rodríguez. Oversight of the second and third phases—including the fabrication, base construction, and installation—was led by engineer Ladislao Ortíz, founder of LOA Ingenieros, C.S.P., who also developed the traffic management plan essential to the safe and efficient execution of the project.
The year-long execution (January 2004 – January 2005) included contributions from:
Surveyors Xavier A. De Jesús and Rodolfo Rivera Ruíz, who completed the technical fieldwork and site plans, leading to the development of a 3D animation by José Pagán
Geotechnical studies by engineer Alberto Almonte (A.J.A. Drilling), with support from engineer Leónidas R. Almonte Medina and his team at Turabo Testing, Inc.
Tree relocation planning by Laredo González (Gabriel Berriz & Associates), implemented by agronomist José Pérez Cortés, owner of Landesign
Concrete testing by José Luis Irizarry-Rosa, partner at PIM Group, Inc.
Foundation construction led by engineer Carlos Reyes, former president of Jeanmar Construction
Electrical systems design by engineer Héctor Ortiz
Fiscal and legal oversight by accountant Nelson García Nolla and attorney José I. Barreto-Rampolla
The project was formally delivered to the DTOP in January 2005. Since then, the Municipio Autónomo de Ponce has overseen its care and maintenance with the continued involvement of the artist.efficient execution of the project.
View of the top detail from the shop drawing for the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", prepared at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Carlos A. Rivera Villfañe
View of the letter “C” from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE, at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
View of the top section of the letter “C” from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE, at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
View of the letter "P" on the transport platform, part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
Bottom section of the letter "O" on the transport platform, part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
Bottom section of the letter "O" on the transport platform, part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
Section of the letter "N" on the transport platform, part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
Section of the letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" on the transport platform at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
Engineer Ladislao Ortíz and Francis Rodríguez, VP of Sales and Marketing at Alonso & Carus, oversee the progress of the letter N from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" at the Alonso & Carus workshop in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
Transportation of the letter "O" from the “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letter "C" from the “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letter "O" from the “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letter "O" from the “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letters “O” and “C” from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letters "O" and "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letters "C" and "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letters "O" and "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letter "O" from the “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letter "O" from the “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letters "O "and "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Transportation of the letter "P" from the “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in PONCE, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Edgard Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Edgard Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Edgard Lugo, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter “P” from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Lugo, Reynaldo Almodóvar, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Edgar Lugo. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Edgar Lugo. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Larry Carus, Edgar Lugo, and Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "P" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by an Alonso & Carus employee in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Edgar Lugo. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico" PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Reynaldo Almodóvar and Rodolfo Almodóvar. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Reynaldo Almodóvar and Rodolfo Almodóvar. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team, with Rodolfo Almodóvar and Edgar Lugo, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Top section of the letter "O" on the transport platform, part of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE by Alonso & Carus in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Top section of the letter “O” on the transport platform, part of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE by Alonso & Carus in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: LOA Ingenieros, CSP.
Installation of letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Edgar Lugo and Gregorio Reyes. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team, with Rodolfo Almodóvar and Edgar Lugo, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team, with Rodolfo Almodóvar and Edgar Lugo, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team, with Rodolfo Almodóvar and Edgar Lugo, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team, with Rodolfo Almodóvar and Edgar Lugo, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team, with Rodolfo Almodóvar and Edgar Lugo, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation view of letter "O" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team, with Rodolfo Almodóvar on site in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the letter "N" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team, with Rodolfo Almodóvar and Edgar Lugo, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Right section of letter "N" on the transport platform, part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by Alonso & Carus, in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Letter "N" on the transport platform during installation, part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by Alonso & Carus, in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Welding process on the letter “N” from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE by Alonso & Carus in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Welding process on letter "N", part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by Alonso & Carus in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Welding process on letter "N" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by Rodolfo Almodóvar and the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Rodolfo Almodóvar and Reynaldo Almodóvar. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the left section of letter "N" on the transport platform, part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by Alonso & Carus in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the left section of letter "N" on the transport platform, part of the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by Alonso & Carus in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Instalación de la letra "N" del “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” por el equipo de trabajo de Alonso & Carus en Ponce, Puerto Rico. En la foto Rodolfo Almodóvar y Reynaldo Almodóvar. Foto: Edwin Medina.
Instalación de la letra "N" del “Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” por el equipo de trabajo de Alonso & Carus en Ponce, Puerto Rico. En la foto Rodolfo Almodóvar y Reynaldo Almodóvar. Foto: Edwin Medina.
Instalación de la letra "N” del "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE” por el equipo de trabajo de Alonso & Carus en Ponce, Puerto Rico. En la foto Rodolfo Almodóvar y Reynaldo Almodóvar. Foto: Edwin Medina.
Welding of letter "N" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Rodolfo Almodóvar and Reynaldo Almodóvar. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Welding of letter "N" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Rodolfo Almodóvar and Reynaldo Almodóvar. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "N" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Rodolfo Almodóvar and Reynaldo Almodóvar. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "N" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Letters "C" and "P" secured on the transport platform during staging for the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", crafted by Alonso & Carus in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Lower section of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Lower section of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Lower section of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Rodolfo Almodóvar and Reynaldo Almodóvar. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Reynaldo Almodóvar and the Alonso & Carus team. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Reynaldo Almodóvar and the Alonso & Carus team. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Reynaldo Almodóvar and the Alonso & Carus team. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of letter "N" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Reynaldo Almodóvar. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Bottom section of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Bottom section of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Back view of the installation of letter "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letter "C" from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE, installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Installation of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE by the Alonso & Carus team in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Rodolfo Almodóvar, Virgilio De León, and Ariel Sánchez. Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letter "C" from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE, installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Bottom section of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" Photo: Edwin Medina.
Bottom section of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" Photo: Edwin Medina.
Upper section of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" on the Alonso & Carus transport platform, to be installed over the bottom section of the letter. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Upper section of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE" on the Alonso & Carus transport platform, to be installed over the bottom section of the letter. Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. . Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. . Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pictured: Virgilio De León. Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letters "E" and "C" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letter "E" from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. . Photo: Edwin Medina.
View of letters "E" and C from the "Conjunto Escultórico PONCE", installed in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photo: Edwin Medina.
Honoring Excellence: The Culson Medal
In 2012, the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE took on a new layer of meaning. As a tribute to Olympic athlete and Ponce native Javier Culson, a bronze medal was permanently installed within the letter “C” of the sculpture—transforming the ensemble into a living altar of civic pride and athletic excellence.
Commissioned by the Municipio Autónomo de Ponce under the leadership of Mayor María Eloísa “Mayita” Meléndez Altieri, the intervention was conceptualized and carried out by artist Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe, creator of the original sculpture. With the participation of artisans and collaborators, the medal was placed as a quiet yet powerful gesture of recognition for Culson’s achievements on the world stage.
Javier Culson represented Puerto Rico as flag bearer in the 2012 London Olympic Games and won bronze in the 400-meter hurdles, marking a historic moment for Puerto Rican sports. He also became a two-time Diamond League champion, earning a place among the most celebrated athletes in Puerto Rican history.
Through this gesture, Las Letras de PONCE evolved beyond form and function. The ensemble became not just a symbol of place, but also a space for collective celebration—proof that public art in Puerto Rico is dynamic, responsive, and deeply rooted in community life.

Team members working with Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe during the installation of the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe during the installation of the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

Back view of the letter “C” from the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE while Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe installs the Olympic medal.

Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe and Mauricio Pagán during the installation of the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

Alfredo Reyes during the installation of the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

Carlos Cameron Rivera during the installation of the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

View of the Olympic medal installed on the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe and Mauricio Pagán placing the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe and Mauricio Pagán during the installation of the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

Mauricio Pagán, Carlos Cameron Rivera, and the team during the installation of the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.

Carlos Manuel Villafañe, Carlos Cameron Rivera, Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe, Jerry Reyes, Alfredo Reyes, and municipal employees during the installation of the Olympic medal inside the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE.
In Memory: The Luis Raúl Tribute
In 2014, the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE became the site of a public tribute to one of Puerto Rico’s most beloved performers. Following the passing of actor and comedian Luis Raúl Martínez, the Municipio Autónomo de Ponce commissioned a symbolic intervention: the installation of a black ribbon on the letter “C” of the sculpture.
Artist Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe, creator of the original work, led the gesture—transforming the ensemble into a temporary memorial. More than a visual statement, the ribbon served as a moment of collective mourning and recognition for an artist who had touched countless lives through humor, honesty, and cultural critique.
Luis Raúl Martínez, born in Ponce, was known for his iconic characters such as Piquito, Mary Jane, Tito Párpados, Junito Popy Love, and Malín. His work shaped Puerto Rican comedy with sharp wit and fearless commentary, earning him a place in the island’s cultural memory.
As part of this homage, archival footage captures Luis Raúl speaking about Las Letras de PONCE—a moment that underscores the personal connection between the artist and this iconic public artwork.
This tribute reflects how the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE continues to evolve as a living space for remembrance, celebration, and emotional connection.

Wooden structure of the black ribbon under construction in the studio of artist Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe—a tribute to the late Ponce-born actor and comedian Luis Raúl Martínez.

Wooden structure of the black ribbon being assembled in the studio of artist Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe, in tribute to actor and comedian Luis Raúl Martínez.

Wooden structure of the black ribbon under construction in the studio of artist Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe—a tribute to the late Ponce-born actor and comedian Luis Raúl Martínez.

Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe, Carlos Cameron Rivera, Mauricio Pagán, and Alfredo Reyes, alongside the team from the Municipio Autónomo de Ponce, during the 2014 installation of a black ribbon on the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE—a tribute to Luis Raúl Martínez.

Artist Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe and former mayor María Eloísa “Mayita” Meléndez Altieri, with the team from the Municipio Autónomo de Ponce, during the installation of a black ribbon on the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE in tribute to Luis Raúl Martínez (2014).

Group photo of the artist and collaborators from the Municipio Autónomo de Ponce following the installation of the black ribbon in honor of Luis Raúl Martínez.

Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe and his team, alongside municipal staff, during the installation of a black ribbon on the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE—a tribute to Luis Raúl Martínez.

Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe supervising the placement of the black ribbon on the letter “C” of the Conjunto Escultórico PONCE in memory of Luis Raúl Martínez.

View of the ribbon being installed on the sculpture by the team led by Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe and supported by the Municipio Autónomo de Ponce.

Carlos A. Rivera Villafañe and collaborators at the base of the sculpture during the ribbon installation in tribute to Luis Raúl Martínez.

Two teams, one shared vision.

Final moments of the 2014 ribbon installation, captured with the team from the Municipio Autónomo de Ponce and members of the local community.