A highly anticipated next step in the development of statues honoring Billy Frank Jr. came to fruition in November.
The foundry selected to create two 9-foot-tall bronze depictions of the revered tribal leader was announced just feet from where Frank Jr. had fought much of his battle for treaty fishing rights.
Billy Frank Jr.’s son Willie Frank III announced the selection of Classic Foundry to create the statues, to be completed this year. One will be placed in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, and the other installed in the State Capitol.
The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) awarded the contract after a state bidding process was conducted with support from the Department of Enterprise Services.
Classic Foundry in Seattle specializes in fine art bronze casting and fabrication. The foundry will collaborate with artist Haiying Wu, who designed the statue and sculpted the original clay model.
“The bronze casting phase is where art and craftsmanship meet,” Wu said. “I’m grateful to collaborate with the skilled foundry team who will help give the Billy Frank Jr. sculpture its final voice in bronze—a voice that speaks to strength, resilience and legacy.”
Willie Frank III speaks about lessons from his father Billy Frank Jr. alongside a poster and mini renditions of a statue being created in his father’s honor. Story: Trevor Pyle. Photo: Nisqually Tribe Communications and Media Services
