About the Artist

(Born 1937) This artist is of Wintu-Nomtipom in heritage.

LaPena took a B.A. degree at California State University in Chico and took his master's degree at California State University in Sacramento.  

Formerly the director of Native American Studies at California State University in Sacramento, LaPena was also an assistant professor of art. His work has been shown in many exhibitions include those held at the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, the San Francisco Museum, the Linder Museum in Stuttgart, the American Arts Gallery in New York and the Oakland Museum.

LaPena's paintings depict his interpretation of ceremonial events using symbolic colors and shapes.