From mold to bronze – art with soul and precision: monument honoring the memory of a spiritual leader of the Cuban exile.
Artist
Uldis López — Maestro Fundidor
Cuban master sculptor specialized in figurative and monumental sculpture. With over three decades of experience, his workshop R.U.N. Art Foundry has created works for public institutions, religious organizations, and private collections throughout the United States and Latin America.
Recognized for his technical mastery in bronze and his ability to capture the essence and dignity of the figures he represents.
Project History
Monument to Msgr. Agustin Roman represents one of the most significant projects undertaken by R.U.N. Art Foundry for the Cuban-American community of Miami. The work immortalizes in bronze Monsignor Agustin Alejandro Roman Rodriguez (1928-2012), auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami and central figure of the Cuban exile for over five decades.
Historical Context
Monsignor Roman was the driving force behind the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, built in 1973 as a pilgrimage site for Cuban exiles. His pastoral work accompanied generations of refugees in their adaptation process to the United States, becoming a symbol of hope and faith for the entire Spanish-speaking community of South Florida.
The Archdiocese of Miami commissioned R.U.N. Art Foundry to create this monument to permanently honor his legacy, placing it on the grounds of the same shrine that Monsignor Roman helped build.
The Artistic Challenge
The casting process faced the challenge of capturing not only the physical likeness of Monsignor Roman’s face and figure, but also the spiritual serenity and human warmth that characterized his presence. R.U.N. Art Foundry worked in close collaboration with the Archdiocese to achieve a representation that reflected both the dignity of the episcopal office and the pastoral closeness that defined his ministry.
The posture, facial features, and expression were carefully modeled to convey the welcoming and service-oriented attitude that Monsignor Roman maintained toward all the faithful, especially toward the most vulnerable and newly arrived.
Casting Process
The project followed the complete lost-wax artistic casting process: initial modeling, creation of high-definition molds, bronze pouring, and artisanal finishing. Each stage was executed with the technical rigor characteristic of R.U.N. Art Foundry, guaranteeing the structural durability necessary for a permanent outdoor installation.
The final patina was selected to harmonize with the sanctuary’s environment and withstand Miami’s climatic conditions, ensuring that the monument maintains its aesthetic dignity for generations.
Legacy and Impact
The monument has become a place of pilgrimage and reflection for thousands of faithful who visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity each year. It represents R.U.N. Art Foundry’s commitment to preserving the historical and cultural memory of the Hispanic community in the United States, demonstrating how artistic casting can serve purposes of community identity and collective memory.
For more information about the official inauguration of the monument and its community impact, see the press coverage:
[PRESS] Tribute to Monsignor Roman: pastor of the Cuban exile – Diario Las Americas
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Technical Specifications
- Material: Bronze (traditional alloy for monumental sculpture)
- Technique: Lost-wax casting
- Patina: Classic weather-resistant finish
- Location: National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, Miami, Florida
- Client: Archdiocese of Miami
- Artist/Foundry: Uldis Lopez / R.U.N. Art Foundry
- Installation: Permanent, outdoor
