ABOUT ME
I have learned the secret of the stone through my cultural and ancestral teachings. Based in Native American themes, my work shows pride for the Pueblo culture and a deep understanding of the inherent spirituality of the stone. I have chosen stone as my medium of expression because it is a combination of the basic elements of the earth. I feel the honesty and purity of this most basic of material permits me to express myself from the heart and to express the spirit that Native people respect an revere as embodied in the stone.
Since 1974, when I created my first stone sculpture, I have created a significant body of work that keeps evolving with new influences and new interests. My sculptures are featured in such public locations as the National Statuary Hall in the Nation's CapitolAlbuquerque International Airport and in permanent collections throughout the country. He has been included in major invitational exhibitions and one-man shows in leading museums and galleries and has earned highest honors and awards for his sculptures.
RESUME
EDUCATION:
Pietrasanta Stone Workshop - Pietrasanta, Italy, 1987
San Francisco Art Institute - San Francisco, California, 1974
Institute of American Indian Arts - Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1973-1975
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Sculpture Instructor, Southwest Stone Carving Symposium, Jemez Springs, New Mexico 1996-2015.
Sculpture Instructor, Pueblo of Jemez Dept. of Education, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico 1995.
Art Education Director, Pueblo of Jemez Dept. of Education, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico 1995.
Special Projects Coordinator, Pueblo of Jemez Dept. of Tourism, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico 1993-1994
Owner, Singing Stone Studio, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico 1979 - ongoing.
SELECTED AWARDS:
Native Arts & Culture Foundation “Mentor/Apprentice Fellowship, Vancouver, WA 2020
People Choice Award – Abbe Museum Indian Market, Bar Harbor, ME 2019
First Award – Stone Category; Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Indian Market, Santa Fe NM 2019
Best of Sculpture Classification, First Award in Stone Sculpture Category; Heard Museum Indian Market, Phoenix, AZ 2018, 2019, 2020
First People’s Fund “Community Spirit Award” Rapid City, SD 2017
Best of Show; Cherokee Festival of Native People, Cherokee, NC 2009
Indian Artist of the Year Award; Indian Arts & Crafts Association 2005
Best of Division, First Award; Heard Museum Indian Market, Phoenix, AZ 2005
Recognition of Achievement Award; Eight Northern Indian PueblosArts & Crafts Board 2001
Po'pay Commission; Sculpture Commission to represent the State of New Mexico in the NationalStatuary Hall at the US Capitol in Washington DC; 2000
First Award - Floor Sculpture Category, First Award - Table Sculpture Category; Indian Arts & Crafts Association Show; Albuquerque, NM 1999
Best of Show; Native American Artist Invitational; Fountain Hills, AZ 1998
Best of Category: Indian Arts and Crafts Association Show - Denver, Colorado 1997.
First Award in Marble Category: SWAIA Annual Indian Market - Santa Fe, New Mexico 1995, 1996, 2000
People’s Choice Award: Ray Tracey Gallery - Santa Fe, New Mexico 1996.
Wheelwright Museum Award for Excellence in Sculpture: SWAIA Annual Indian Market - Santa Fe, New Mexico 1995.
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS:
National Statuary Hall, US Capitol Building - Washington DC
Schaumburg Town Square - Schaumburg,
Sandoval County Vietnam Veterans War Memorial - Bernalillo, NM
Museum of Man - San Diego, CA
Phoenix City Hall - Phoenix, Arizona.
Albuquerque Sunport - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque Museum - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture - Santa Fe, NM
ACTIVITIES:
President, Indigenous Sculptor Society 2004, 2005
Board Member - Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA),1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
SWAIA Council of Artist Chair - 2003
Vice President - Indigenous Sculptor Society, 2001, 2002, 2003
Member - Indigenous Sculptor Society, 2001, 2002, 2003
President - Indian Arts & Crafts Association (IACA), 2000
Vice-President - Indian Arts & Crafts Association (IACA), 1999
Vice-Chairman - Indian Arts and Crafts Foundation (IACA), 1998
Artist/Craftspeople Representative - Indian Arts and Crafts Association Board of Directors (IACA), 1998- 2003
Treasurer - Towa Arts and Crafts Committee, 1998
Chairperson - Towa Arts and Crafts Committee, 1990-1996
Coordinator - Jemez Red Rocks Arts & Crafts Show 1990-1997
The Po'Pay Commission
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.
Click here, PO'PAY COMMISSION, to read on my BLOG, more about the Commission, as well as other interests.