in 2004, the then governor of veracruz, mexico, miguel alemán velazco presented ccsf with a reproduction of an olmec colossal head in honor of the new pan-american center. the gift, a 14-ton, 9-foot tall replica of “el rey” (the king) san lorenzo #1 created in volcanic tuff is now the centerpiece of the proposed frida kahlo garden next to the diego rivera theater at city college of san francisco. the artist that carved the replica was ignacio perez solano, also known as “il maestro.” this is only one of five olmec heads reproductions in the united states and is viewed by some as the "mother culture" of mexico.