By Jessica Benda
Contributing Writer
Brea is moving forward with the recreation of its “Centennial Door” anniversary sculpture that fell victim to a vehicle collision less than three years after it was installed in 2018.
Once stationed at Lagos de Moreno Park, the 6-by-6-foot stone installation depicted family life and recreation in honor of Brea’s 100th anniversary. But its legacy was short-lived – first it suffered “severe cracks” from natural damage in 2019 and then it was destroyed beyond repair in a 2020 vehicle collision.
The replacement will cost $85,000, including transportation and installation, with funding pulled from the city’s Fixed Asset Replacement Fund. The City Council approved the replacement at its Aug. 15 meeting.
Carlos Terres, the original artist, will recreate the sculpture in bronze to avoid the cracking its predecessor experienced. After the crash, Terres was able to salvage some remnants of the original, said Carrie Hernandez, Brea’s deputy director of community services.
Hernandez said there isn’t an exact timeline for the sculpture’s completion as they continue to negotiate scheduling and contracting with Terres.
Once one of Brea’s artists in residence, Terres hails from Lagos de Moreno in Mexico, Brea’s first sister city. His “Centennial Door” sculpture symbolizes Terres’ first visit to Brea, when he felt greeted by open doors, he has said.
Known for its public art, the city thought an original piece would be the best way to celebrate Brea’s centennial anniversary, Hernandez said. Brea’s Art in Public Places program, which scatters art across the city, is one of its most active collections — and it has 190 sculptures to prove it.
“We have so much art that’s been supported through the years, so we thought that this would be a great legacy moving forward,” Hernandez said. “We wanted to make sure that we continue that legacy for the community to enjoy. We can have photos and memories,…
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