City Unveils Monumental Public Art Installation by José Alvarez

Published on April 28, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Kathleen Joy, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
kjoy@wpb.org

(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

Sybille Canthal, Director of Arts, Culture and Community Building
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office

scanthal@wpb.org

(561) 822-1521

City of West Palm Beach Unveils Monumental Public Art Installation by José Alvarez (D.O.P.A.) at Mandel Public Library

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (April 28, 2026) — The City of West Palm Beach, through its Art in Public Places (AiPP) program, is proud to present Surround Me with Your Love (May All Beings Be Happy and Free), 2026, a vibrant, site-specific installation by multidisciplinary artist José Alvarez. Now on view at The Urban at the Mandel Public Library, this immersive work marks the artist’s first monumental public installation.

Spanning floor to ceiling within The Urban, the installation transforms a traditionally utilitarian space into a dynamic and welcoming environment. Known for his distinctive visual language, Alvarez blends vivid hues —pinks, blues, greens, yellows, and oranges— into layered compositions of floral imagery and geometric forms. The result is an expansive, continuous visual experience that invites visitors into a world of color, rhythm, and reflection.

Over a decades-long career, Alvarez (born Deyvi Orangel Peña Arteaga) has explored themes that connect personal introspection with the broader human experience. His work often intersects science, spirituality, and mysticism, creating a unique artistic perspective that resonates across cultures and audiences.

With Surround Me with Your Love (May All Beings Be Happy and Free), Alvarez brings that vision into the public realm, offering a space that encourages joy, curiosity, and connection. The installation’s repeating patterns and vibrant energy create a sense of movement and openness, allowing visitors to experience the work from multiple vantage points.

“What is significant within the medium of public art is the ability for an artist to translate their artistic practice into public realm,” said Sybille Canthal, Director of Arts, Culture and Community Building. “This translation of an artist’s oeuvre can be experienced through José Alvarez’s vibrant installation at The Urban, which exemplifies the profound impact of art in public space from an artist with a decades long practice.”

The exhibition will remain on view through Spring 2028. Hours align with the Mandel Public Library’s schedule:

• Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This exhibition is made possible by the City’s AiPP program, which supports the integration of art into public spaces throughout West Palm Beach.

Discover the City’s AiPP program through our free digital guide on Bloomberg Connects — featuring audio commentary from José Alvarez on his exhibition, available in English and Spanish.

For more information about AiPP, please contact Carolina Puente, Public Art Coordinator, at cpuente@wpb.org or call (561) 822-1406.

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About the City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront city that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the area with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn.

To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY800 955-8771).

About Art in Public Places

The Art in Public Places (AiPP) public art program of the City of West Palm Beach, Florida serves its residents and visitors by presenting a diversity of artworks to be experienced in our city. The program works with the public and private sector to commission artists at all career stages to create meaningful artworks —both permanent and temporary —throughout the City’s Public Places. For more information about AiPP WPB, please visit www.wpb.org/Residents, follow us on Instagram, or contact Sybille Canthal, Director of Arts, Culture, and Community Building at (561) 822-1521 or scanthal@wpb.org.