Orlando Pelaez is a native of Medellin, Colombia. He moved to Indianapolis in 1975. Pelaez worked for the Hispano-American Center in 1981 and painted three murals for the center. He expressed "my purpose is to bring part of our Colombian culture to the Mexican people and the midwest." Also during that year, his work was on display during the 1981 Fiesta festivities. The Hispano-American Center (now El Centro Hispano) organized Fiesta Indianapolis in 1981. This is now an annual event held in September at the American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis. Fiesta celebrates the culture and heritage of the many Hispanic communities in Indiana.