Background

Frank LaPena was born on October 5, 1937, in San Francisco, California. He was the son of Henry and Evelyn Gladys LaPena.

Education

As a child, Frank LaPena was sent to federal boarding schools, first to the Stewart Indian School in Nevada, and later the Chemawa Indian School in Oregon. He also attended California State University, Chico, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1965, and San Francisco State College (now University), where he got a secondary teaching certificate in 1968. Besides, LaPena graduated from California State University, Sacramento. There he got a Master of Arts in 1978.

Career

Frank LaPena started his career at Shasta Junior College as an instructor in 1969-1971. After it, he worked at California State University, Sacramento, began as an instructor, then an assistant professor of art in 1971-1973, and a professor of art and ethnic studies in 1974, and director of Native American studies in 1975-2002. LaPena served as an instructor at the Peña Adobe in 1970 and the University of Alberta in 1974. Also, he was a research associate at the United States Department of the Interior in 1984, a secondary school teacher, and worked in airplane construction at the Port of Oakland. Additionally, LaPena was a consultant to museums including the De Young, the Oakland Museum, the California Indian Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.

Besides, Frank LaPena was an artist. He became a silversmith in 1977. LaPena first exhibited in 1960 and worked in painting, printmaking, sculpture, poetry, dance, and mixed media. His paintings, sculptures, and poetry reflect a deep understanding and love of his native heritage. He exhibited in numerous one-man and group shows across the United States, Europe, Central and South America, Cuba, Australia, and New Zealand. Moreover, his work was collected at Crocker Museum, Heard Museum, Turtle Foundation Center for Living Arts, and Indian Arts and Crafts Board of United States Department of the Interior. LaPena was a founding member of the Maidu Dancers and Traditionalists, dedicated to the revival and preservation of Native arts.

Frank LaPena also was a writer. He published several volumes of poetry and wrote a report on contemporary California art activities for News from Native California. He also was an illustrator of book covers and served as an editor at the News from Native California. LaPena passed away on May 2, 2019, at the age of 81.

Achievements

• Frank LaPena was widely known as a writer, educator, and artist. His more than sixty-year career as a professional artist gave him a central role among contemporary Native American artists in California. He spent almost fifty years as a professor at California State University in Sacramento. His artistic works were represented in the United States, Europe, Central, and South America, Cuba, Australia, and New Zealand.
  
  Additionally, Frank LaPena was a holder of prizes from the Kingsley Show in 1961, Northern California Art Show in 1961 and 1969, North Valley Art Show in 1969 and 1979, and Saint John's Religious Art Festival in 1969 in 1976. He received the People on the Move Award from the Young Men's Christian Association in 1975 and a grant from the Smithsonian Institution in 1976. Also, LaPena earned the Order of the Hornet and Distinguished Service Award from the California State University Alumni Association in 1995.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Sound of Rattles and Clappers

    (In this anthology of poetry and fiction, ten Native Ameri...)

    1994
  • Memory and Imagination

    (Personal recollections and statements by Wintu artist Fra...)

    1997
  • California Indian Shamanism

    (Articles from ethnographers, a linguist, and Native Ameri...)

    1992
  • The World Is a Gift 1987
  • Singing of Earth 1993

• painting

  • Dream Songs

    2007

  • Gift of Life

    2007

  • Deer Dance Spirit

    1983

  • Big Head

    1987

  • Flower Dance Spirit

    1981

  • Ribbon Doll

    1980

  • December 28

    2006

  • Toto Dancer 2/2

    1996

Views

Quotations: "The earth is a living thing - its breath is the wind, its veins the rivers, and if we listen within ourselves, we find similar sounds in all living things."

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Brenda Turner: "Frank was one of my Professors at Sac State. We had lunches together and shared many thoughts and stories. I always admired his work and especially his defiance in painting right in the middle of the canvas. He will be missed."
  
  Lauri Sturdivant: "His artwork conveys a strong sense of historical and cultural continuity, of the Wintu traditions and legends."

Connections

Frank LaPena married Catherine Alice Sell Skinner on August 19, 1966, and divorced in April 1984. LaPena had seven children, Kari Renee, Vincent Craig, Ivy, Peggy, Dan, Paul, and Nancy LaPena.

Father:

Henry LaPena

Mother:

Evelyn Gladys LaPena

Evelyn Gladys LaPena's maiden name was Towndolly.

ex-wife:

Catherine Alice Sell Skinner

Catherine Alice Sell Skinner was Frank LaPena's wife. They divorced in 1984.

Son:

Dan LaPena

Daughter:

Nancy LaPena

Son:

Vincent Craig LaPena

Daughter:

Kari Renee LaPena

Son:

Paul LaPena

Daughter:

Ivy LaPena

Daughter:

Peggy LaPena