A recycled-can sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe that has stood as a community landmark and gathering place at the historic Dow Elementary School in Houston’s Old Sixth Ward for more than three decades is being restored and formally donated to MECA by its original artist.
Since loaned to the community group the Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts in 1993, the sculpture by Houston artist Paul Kittelson has been cared for by community members who gather every year on Dec. 12 to decorate it with flowers and lights for the nonprofit’s annual Virgen de Guadalupe celebration. Originally designed as a temporary sculpture, Kittelson said he did not anticipate it to be so embraced by the community.
“Recycled Virgin,” a sculpture by artist Paul Kittleson, is photographed at MECA Houston in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
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And now, Kittelson said, it was his turn to come back and make much needed repairs while also making additions to the sculpture to pay homage to the “Patroness of the Americas” and the migrants in the community.
“I think it would have have been absolutely destroyed probably 10 years after I made it if it hadn’t been for being here, because it is the community that kept it up,” Kittelson said. “I think it’s just the pure love of the statue and them embracing that (has) kept it here this long. It’s kind of a miracle that it could stay for 35 years.”
Preserving what the statue has built
Rosa Pruneda handles media relations for MECA, which is housed at the former Dow school at 1900 Kane. She said she remembers being part of the organization’s Ballet Folklórico program in 2006 and attending many celebrations held at the historic campus, with Kittelson’s sculpture at the center of each celebration.
Artist Paul Kittleson is photographed with his “Recycled Virgin” sculpture at MECA Houston in Houston on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
“With artwork, I feel like we walk by it, like many historic buildings, things that we don’t realize deserve more recognition for the part they play in the city,” Pruneda said. “It’s nice to hear directly from the artist who created it because for me, it ties back to just the memories I have of my parents bringing us here, us running through the building and being kids here.”
MECA Executive Director Armando Silva called people’s connection to the statue “beautiful” and that he appreciated the community’s dedication to the art piece.
“Recycled Virgin,” a sculpture by artist Paul Kittleson, is photographed at MECA Houston in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
“It’s beautiful to see so many people come, and they might not have a relationship with MECA, but they find (the statue) and then we build on that,” Silva said, noting a couple who decided to take wedding photos around it. “That speaks to the attraction that she has.”
Kittelson said it was important to preserve that culture and the history that is now attached to it.
“The one thing you can’t build is history,” he said. “You can build the nicest, fanciest community centers you want. But if it doesn’t have that sort of community connection and the history behind it, it’s got to start from scratch.”
A timeline for the full restoration
Kittelson said he’s aiming to have the statue restored before the Dec. 12 celebration.
While the artist said the sculpture is in “remarkably good shape” for as old as it is, it still requires some repairs and will get some new additions, including a new halo as well as aluminum flowers and leaves – with names and dates stamped onto the leaves to pay tribute to the migrant community.
The statue’s restoration effort coincides with MECA’s efforts to restore the historic Dow School, which stretch back decades. The school was built in 1912.
The nonprofit acquired the building in the 1990s and launched a multiphase renovation that grew to nearly $10 million, including repairs to the exterior and roof, replacement of all 198 windows, electrical upgrades, an elevator and plans to transform the auditorium into a performance space. After Hurricane Harvey, the organization received additional funding to repair roof damage and leaks and pursue further upgrades to the building.
Kittelson is expected to host workshops at MECA’s campus on Aug. 15, followed by an Aug. 22 workshop hosted by Houston sculptor Tim Glover, whose Cactus Water Fountain is being donated to the campus as well.
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This article originally published at Houston artist to restore and donate landmark Old Sixth Ward statue to MECA organization.