Mary Brickell Park to Get “Chocolate Girl” Sculpture by Ignacio Gana

Key Points

• 19‑foot bronze installation valued at $500K, poised for a one‑year display in Mary Brickell Park.

• Artist background: Created by Miami‑based, Chilean‑born sculptor Ignacio Gana, known for large-scale public art.

• Public review upcoming: Miami’s Art in Public Places Board will evaluate the proposal on July 14.

A striking new public art proposal is underway: a monumental bronze figure titled “Chocolate Girl”—a 19-foot‑tall work by Ignacio Gana—may soon grace Mary Brickell Park for up to a year. I

Artist & Artwork Background

About Ignacio Gana

• Gana is a Miami-based sculptor originally from Chile, celebrated for his dramatic figurative forms like “Flamingo Girl” and earlier iterations of “Chocolate Girl”.

• His work often celebrates the human form and serene leisure, infused with elegance and narrative depth.

The sculpture details

• “Chocolate Girl” is a 19‑foot bronze piece valued at $500,000, designed for a temporary public display in a vibrant urban spot.

• It will stand at 501 Brickell Avenue, at Mary Brickell Park, anchoring the park's open plaza setting.

Review Process & Timeline

• The Art in Public Places Board will convene on Monday, July 14 at 6:30 PM, at Miami City Hall, to review the installation proposal formally.

• The meeting, which allows public comments, will be broadcast live, with online and in-person participation available.

Why It Matters for Brickell & Miami

• Elevating the public realm: Brickell lacks the cultural landmarks seen in other Miami neighborhoods. Large installations like this boost aesthetic and community identity.

• Tourism + placemaking boost: A massive sculpture will likely draw visitors, enhance foot traffic, and raise Brickell’s profile beyond its finance-centric reputation.

• Temporary art invitations: The yearlong exhibition sets a template for rotational public art, keeping urban spaces dynamic and engaging.

Final Take

If approved, “Chocolate Girl” would become both an Instagram magnet and a cultural discussion-starter—mirroring Miami’s bold embrace of public art. For investors and developers, it signals Brickell's evolution into a live-work-play district that blends commerce with culture. Whether you love it or cringe at the spectacle, it’s sure to leave a mark.