MASHPEE – On Sunday, May 5th, the Mashpee Wampanoag, friends and family will celebrate the unveiling of the Alice May Lopez Memorial Statue at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community & Government Building, followed by a potluck social in the Tribe’s gymnasium.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Tribe’s community and government building. The event is open to the public.
Lopez was the Tribe’s first Housing Director, she died from an apparent blood clot in 2011. The Tribe decided to commission a statue to her after her death.
The artist chosen is David Lewis, a well known local sculptor and Cape Cod native. His works also include the life-size bronze of the Sachem Iyanough on Main Street, Hyannis. Mr. Lewis worked with the family and committee to fine-tune the statue in order to capture the essence of Ms. Lopez.
Based on the renderings, the figure will be in regalia, performing a traditional blanket dance in mid-step.
“Alice’s presence and positive impact on our Tribe’s homeland, existence, culture and spirituality surrounds us and lifts us on a daily basis, still.” stated Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell. “Alice is a gift from our Creator.” he added.
The plans call for the statue to be on display in the lobby area of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal building until construction of the community building is complete at the housing development on Meetinghouse Road in Mashpee.
The May 5th unveiling ceremony also marks a sentimental occasion as it would have been Alice Lopez’s 58th birthday.
“If it were not for the fundraising efforts of the committee, led by Alice’s mother, Carol Lopez, her sister, Marcia Lopez and Vanessa Mendes along with support from the family and our entire community, this momentous celebration could not have been possible. This day reflects a genuine act of love and we are so pleased to be
hosting this celebration on Alice’s birthday.” said Cromwell.
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