Cliff Fragua facts for kids

Cliff Fragua, born in 1955, is a talented sculptor and stone carver. He is from the Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico. He is known for creating amazing art from stone. He holds a special place in history as the only Native American artist to have his artwork displayed in the important Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol building. His most famous work there is a statue of Popé, a brave Pueblo leader from the 1600s. Fragua even traveled to Tennessee to pick out the perfect marble for his statue.

Early Life and Learning

Cliff Fragua was born and grew up on the Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico. He is an official member of the Jemez Pueblo tribe. He started learning about sculpture at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.

Later, he went to the San Francisco Art Institute to continue his studies. He also traveled to Pietrasanta, Italy, a famous place for stone carving. There, he learned even more about working with stone.

His Amazing Artworks

Cliff Fragua is a skilled sculptor and stone carver. His art often shows themes from Native American culture. People say his work shows great pride in his heritage. It also shows a deep understanding of the spiritual meaning of stone.

The Popé Statue: A Special Honor

The state of New Mexico asked Fragua to create a special sculpture. It was to be of Po'pay, a famous leader of the Pueblo Revolt in 1680. This revolt was a successful uprising against Spanish colonists.

In 2005, his 10-foot-tall statue was placed in the National Statuary Hall. This hall is inside the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. It was the second statue from New Mexico. It was also the 100th and final statue added to the hall. Cliff Fragua is the only Native American sculptor with a work in this important hall.

Where He Works

Cliff Fragua owns and runs his own art studio. It is called Singing Stone Studio. You can find it in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico.