Longmont's first Hispanic city councilman, the late Benjamin "Benny" Rodriguez, will be honored in a unique altar created with the help of a University of Colorado at Boulder fine arts professor.
The altar was designed by Associate Professor George Rivera and the Rodriguez family. Rodriguez, a Longmont native and local business owner, died Jan. 22 at the age of 75.
"I collaborated with the Rodriguez family by asking them to contribute objects for the altar," Rivera said. "As a consequence, the altar contains meaningful memories of a life lived loving his family and serving his community."
The altar will be on display March 8 to April 20 as part of the "Of Work and Earth" exhibit at The Old Firehouse Art Center in Longmont. Part of the exhibit will then be donated to the Longmont Historical Museum.
Rodriguez was the seventh of 10 children born to Mexican immigrants. His father was a miner, but Rodriguez cultivated a talent in auto bodywork and painting.
"Benny had a natural aptitude for it. He had a wonderful eye for color," said Wanda Rodriguez, his wife.
Rodriguez went into the auto body and fender business in 1949, and his Longmont shop is still open today.
He was appointed to the city council in early 1969 and served until 1978, winning re-election twice. During his tenure, Rodriguez supported Project 75, a large city expansion that included a new library and golf course.
"There was a lot of controversy about growth, but they did get it all done. It's all up and going, and still looking good," Wanda Rodriguez said.
Rivera wanted to create a piece that celebrated the Hispanic community, and said he was inspired to use the altar form after reading about Rodriguez's death in the Longmont Times-Call.
Rivera superimposed the text of the article on a framed digital image of the Virgin Guadalupe. The image will hang above the altar, which includes items from Rodriguez's work and family life.
Ironwork, mementos from Mexico and a golfing plaque Rodriguez received for making a hole-in-one are among the items the family contributed. Photos show Rodriguez working as a disc jockey at a Hispanic radio station early in his career, and later on with the city council.Ìý
"Hopefully, the altar will serve as a symbol of pride for Hispanics in the city and state, because the history of Colorado cannot be told without noting these contributions," Rivera said.
Rivera is among the 2002 recipients of the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.Ìý
Three of Rodriquez's children graduated from CU-Boulder.