“Loyalty”: Exhibition Pays Posthumous Tribute to Visual Artist Fernando Calvo Sánchez

“Loyalty”: Exhibition Pays Posthumous Tribute to Visual Artist Fernando Calvo Sánchez

The Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum invites the public to the opening of the temporary exhibition “Loyalty,” a posthumous tribute to the renowned Costa Rican visual artist Fernando Calvo Sánchez (1951-2025).

  • The exhibition opens to the public on March 20 at 5 p.m. at the Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum in Alajuela.
  • “Loyalty” brings together nearly 50 works, distributed across three thematic rooms that reflect Calvo’s dedication to art.
  • The exhibition celebrates the life and legacy of one of the most distinguished sculptors in the national visual arts, who passed away on March 10, 2025.

San José, March 18, 2025. The Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum (MHCJS) invites the public to the opening of the temporary exhibition “Loyalty,” a posthumous tribute to the distinguished Costa Rican visual artist Fernando Calvo Sánchez (1951-2025).

The exhibition will feature nearly 50 works, including sculptures, engravings, watercolors, and acrylics, and will be open to the public for free from March 20 to June 29, 2025, at the MHCJS facilities.

Fernando Calvo Sánchez left an indelible legacy in Costa Rican visual arts, and “Loyalty” celebrates the life and work of one of the most prominent sculptors in the national arts scene. Throughout his career, Calvo sought to convey human emotions through his works, emphasizing the importance of his art as a means of preserving and communicating historical memory and national identities.

The opening of “Loyalty” will take place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum (MHCJS) in Alajuela. Later, at 7 p.m., the National Band of Alajuela will perform a free concert in commemoration of the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Santa Rosa.

“Loyalty” in Detail.

The “Loyalty” exhibition presents a selection of works that reflect key moments in Costa Rican history, sociopolitical themes, and the condition of homeless individuals. It also emphasizes the concept of loyalty in Fernando Calvo’s artistic practice, showcasing how his dedication and love for art persisted throughout his life.

A notable aspect of the exhibition is the reflection on the condition of homeless people. Through art, it explores the lives and creativity of these individuals, fostering greater understanding and empathy toward them as creative and valuable subjects.

The three thematic rooms of the exhibition – “Eternal Love,” “Loyal Art,” and “Unbreakable Fidelity” – were inspired by a handwritten note from Fernando Calvo that read:
“Art is a love that lasts forever.
And it doesn’t matter if it is ugly, bad, beautiful, or good…
It never abandons you, it never betrays you!
It stays with you for life…
Loyalty, loyalty!”
F. Calvo, 2025

The “Eternal Love” room pays tribute to Costa Rican ancestors and highlights significant moments from the National Campaign of 1856-1857, demonstrating Fernando Calvo’s devotion to preserving the historical memory of his country.

The “Loyal Art” room reflects Fernando Calvo’s worldview and his commitment to dignifying figures and landscapes of subalternity, underscoring his effort to give a voice to those who typically remain on the margins of society.

Finally, the “Unbreakable Fidelity” room symbolizes the creativity and loyalty present in homeless people, showing how art becomes a support and a source of hope. This room demonstrates Fernando Calvo’s sensitivity and empathy toward the most vulnerable, further reaffirming his belief in the transformative power of art.

María Otárola Luna, director of the MHCJS, stated: “A distinguished artist known for his love of art and culture, with wonderful work in various techniques, will take us on a social, educational, and cultural journey. This exhibition will offer our visitors a different perspective on the National Campaign of 1856-1857 and, at the same time, allow them to learn about and recognize social issues faced in some corners of our country. We pay tribute to the great human being and artist that Fernando Calvo was.”

The “Loyalty” exhibition by Fernando Calvo Sánchez will be presented in the José Ma. Cañas Escamilla rooms, located on the second floor of the MHCJS.

The Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum (MHCJS) is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. “This exhibition seeks to inspire pride, belonging, and identity, connecting visitors with the past and keeping the memory of those who forged the Costa Rican nation alive,” stated the MHCJS.