Presentation: Sculpting History-The Popay Statues

Cliff Fragua, of Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, has been awarded one of the most prestigious commissions for sculptors in the United States. His rendition of Po'pay has been selected to represent the State of New Mexico in the National Statuary Hall in Washington, DC. The artist selection was made in December of 1999 based on a maquette (model) of Po'pay that was submitted to the New Mexico Statuary Hall Commission. The sculpture is made from Tennessee marble, and stands 7 feet tall, mounted on a 3 feet tall pedestal. The sculpture was completed in May 2005 and installed and dedicated in September of the same year. It is currently on display in Emancipation Hall in the new Capitol Building Visitor Center. He also created a sculpture of Po'pay for the 100 Years of State and Federal Policy: The Impact on Pueblo Nations exhibition which is now showing at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.