ST. JOSEPH – Casto Solano, an artist from the Basque Country in northern Spain, was recently commissioned to create a sculpture dedicated to the health and well-being of our community which will live at the heart of the Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion. Community members, Lynn and Mike Todman, donated $100,000 to fund the piece. The sculpture, to be unveiled when the Pavilion is completed in 2020, depicts two hands meeting — a handshake of peace, togetherness, and learning — their fingertips touching and curling together like two strands of genetic code.

“Lakeland Health has inspired me to create an artwork that represents the very best of us and our species,” said Solano. “This is because medical facilities epitomize our finest qualities. The commitment to advancing and sharing knowledge so as to cure, heal, and assuage pain. The commitment to treat each person as an end in themselves; as a complete, unique living being. The commitment to better ourselves for the benefit of all.”

Michael Todman, a member of the Lakeland Board of Directors and retired Vice Chairman of Whirlpool Corporation, said she hopes the art inspires those who visit Lakeland.

“We want Lakeland to be a place where people of all backgrounds feel welcomed and cared for,” Todman said.

In 1984, Solano won his first public commission and installed his sculpture, “Freedom,” on the streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Since then his sculptural career has included a number of works in public spaces throughout Spain and in other parts of the world including Canada, France, South Korea, Seattle, and Minnesota.

To date, community members have donated nearly $5.2 million in support of the Pavilion. For continued updates on the project, including architectural animations, visit lakelandhealth.org/pavilion. To learn more about how you can support the project, contact the Lakeland Health Foundations at (269) 927-5143 or visit lakelandhealthfoundations.org.