Statue of Mary Sánchez

The Statue of Mary Sánchez stands on the famous Paseo de Las Canteras promenade in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands. This life-size bronze figure honors a Canarian folk performer and gives beachgoers a small cultural landmark along one of the city's most popular walking routes.

Who was Mary Sánchez?

Mary Sánchez was a Canarian performer of traditional music, known locally as a "folclórica" — an artist tied to the folk heritage of the Canary Islands. Her work is associated with the songs and dances that form part of the archipelago's cultural identity, and the statue was raised specifically to honor her contribution to keeping that tradition alive.

Where exactly is the statue located?

The monument sits at the corner of Paseo de Las Canteras and Calle Salvador Cuyas, right along Playa de Las Canteras — one of the most recognized urban beaches in Europe. It stands at coordinates 28.144158, -15.431577, in a spot where locals and visitors constantly pass by on their way along the seafront, making the statue a natural part of everyday life on the promenade rather than an isolated monument.

Who created the sculpture?

The statue was made by Ana Luisa Benítez, a Canarian painter and sculptor born and based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Her public sculptures across the city frequently draw on local cultural figures and themes, and the Mary Sánchez monument is one of her contributions to the city's public art collection.

When was the statue unveiled, and what is its background?

The monument was unveiled in 2005. It was funded through an initiative led by the association "El Salitre," which donated the statue to the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on behalf of local institutions, economic and social organizations, cultural bodies, and Canarians living abroad. That broad group of contributors reflects how meaningful the figure commemorated by the statue was to islanders' sense of identity — traditional Canarian music is something shared by the community regardless of where individual Canarians happen to live.

What should visitors know before stopping by?

The statue is not the main reason tourists come to Paseo de Las Canteras — most visitors are drawn by the long stretch of beach, cafés, and ocean views facing the Atlantic. Still, it is worth pausing here for a moment, since it is one of the few monuments in the city dedicated specifically to Canarian folk music and culture rather than to historical or political figures. For anyone curious about local folklore, the statue is a useful starting point for exploring further — traditional music performances still take place around the city, and several venues are dedicated to Canarian cultural heritage.

Las Canteras promenade itself is one of the best places in Las Palmas for an unhurried walk, and the Mary Sánchez statue works as a stop that ties the ocean view together with a piece of local cultural history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Statue of Mary Sánchez located? At the corner of Paseo de Las Canteras and Calle Salvador Cuyas, next to Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Who was Mary Sánchez? A Canarian performer of traditional folk music, remembered locally as a "folclórica" tied to the Canary Islands' musical heritage.

Who designed the monument? The sculpture was created by Ana Luisa Benítez, a painter and sculptor from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

When was the statue unveiled? It was unveiled in 2005, funded through an initiative by the association "El Salitre."