Last year, I was pleased to share with you the exciting news that a museum devoted to his works would be opening Barcelona in 2009. Since that time, the Foundation supporting the museum opened a temporary exhibit of Arranz-Bravo's work in the spring of 2006 to great critical acclaim. Many art lovers from around the world visited the show during its four-month duration. The heart of the permanent collection consists of 140 works of art donated by the artist; paintings, works on paper, and sculpture. However, because the artist has always felt ill at ease with the commemoration of the past, his first priority is to use the foundation as a showcase for emerging art.

Arranz Bravo FoundationThe city chosen to host the Arranz Bravo Foundation, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, was a very deliberate choice. Arranz-Bravo attaches a great deal of importance to the surroundings in which people and projects exist because he is well aware that for most things in life, and especially with art, a receptive atmosphere is vital for their success. The Foundation hopes to benefit from the open and welcoming nature of the city of L'Hospitalet. Eduardo envisions the center as a new addition to the city, a center to welcome and host new generations of artists and lovers of the arts.

L'Acollidora In addition, Eduardo and his family have always maintained close links with the city of L'Hospitalet; one of his brothers has lived there for many years. It was in this city that Eduardo won a painting competition in 1965 and subsequently designed the symbol of the city, L'Acollidora (The Welcoming Woman), a bronze statue installed on the Rambla Just Oliveres. In the modern history of Catalonia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat is a city renowned for being home to a diverse immigrant population; 80% of the residents have roots which originated outside of Catalonia. Realizing that the city had no monument to represent this distinctive factor, Arranz-Bravo conceptualized a sculpture to symbolize the welcoming, accommodating personality of the city.

L'Acollidora, as a woman, represents generosity, creation, and preservation. As a goddess, she is a symbol of the Mediterranean and its culture -- important influences for both the city and the artist. The symbol that best evokes the welcoming character of L'Hospitalet is the circle or tray that she holds - a symbol of integrity, a receptacle which supports, sustains and shelters. L'Acollidora was inaugurated at City Hall in 1985.