Frank Raymond LaPena

at California State University, Sacramento, passed away recently.

Frank was a Nomtipom Wintu American Indian. He was born in San Francisco in 1937 and attended

federal Indian boarding school in Stewart, Nevada. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Chico

State in 1965 and a Master of Arts in Anthropology at Sac State in 1978.

Frank’s paintings, sculpture, 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. He was a consultant to many museums in North

America, including the de Young Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian. He was a

founding member of the Maidu Dancers and Traditionalists, dedicated to the revival and preservation of

Native arts. Frank also published several volumes of poetry and wrote a report on contemporary

California art activities for News from Native California.

Frank LaPena’s papers (http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8qc041x/) are housed in the

Gerth Special Collections and University Archives (/special-collections-and-university-archives).

Frank is deeply missed.