The full-scale clay statue of Nisqually leader and rights activist Billy Frank Jr. is nearing completion, and the public is invited to view it at the artist’s workspace on the South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) campus from 2 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Once ready, the state will transport the statue to the U.S. Capitol, one of two statues representing the State of Washington. The other is of Mother Joseph. The Frank statue will replace one of Marcus Whitman.
Renowned sculptor Haiying Wu is currently doing the final details of the clay model.
The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and the Nisqually Indian Tribe partnered with SPSCC to provide special public access to Haiying’s workspace on the SPSCC campus. The team encourages visitors to take advantage of this opportunity to “see history in action.”
“My father taught me patience,” said Willie Frank III, the son of Billy Frank Jr, as stated in the news release. “I see this next year leading up to the installation of his statue in our nation’s Capitol as an opportunity to share his teachings. He taught us patience and love for his family and community. Finally, he taught us the love of knowing and using the language and power of the treaties given to us by our ancestors. He was always bringing people together, and that’s what we need now.”
ArtsWA and the Nisqually Indian Tribe also debuted the third video in a series produced by Children of the Setting Sun Productions dedicated to the statue project.
The video, “Part III: The Legacy,” centers on Billy Frank Jr. Day and the ongoing resonance and impact of Billy’s life. It tells this story through clips of the sculptor’s process.
Three videos for this series are viewable for free on ArtsWA’s website and YouTube channel:
Frank Jr. is remembered as someone who tirelessly ensured that the government honored the promises made through the treaties with Washington tribes.
In 2015, Frank Jr. was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
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JHermes
A proper tribute to a great Washingtonian.
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