Cuban-American Sculptor Natalie Plasencia Honors Aviation Pioneer Glenn Curtiss in Miami Springs
A bronze sculpture of aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss now stands at the entrance to Curtiss Parkway in Miami Springs, following a project crafted by Cuban-American artist Natalie Plasencia. According to reporting by the Miami Herald, the monument—titled the Glenn Curtiss & June Bug Legacy Memorial—was unveiled on August 22, 2026, marking exactly one hundred years since Curtiss founded the city.
The Vision Behind the Glenn Curtiss and June Bug Memorial
Before the finished artwork was installed, the clay mold of Curtiss sat in Plasencia’s studio just a few blocks away. According to the Miami Herald, the artist sought to understand the mindset of the inventor who flew the June Bug 1.6 kilometers at four miles per hour in Hammondsport, New York, on July 4, 1908. A stylized version of that biplane forms part of the centennial memorial. Visitors walking the site encounter plaques on the aircraft’s wings detailing milestones from a life that included 400 patents and the co-founding of Hialeah and Opa-locka in 1925 and 1926.
Did you know? Glenn Curtiss co-founded three South Florida cities—Hialeah, Opa-locka, and Miami Springs—before his death in Buffalo, New York, on July 23, 1930, at the age of 52, according to historical records cited by the Miami Herald.
Connecting Community Identity Through Public Art
Plasencia, who was born in Hialeah and raised in Miami Springs, drew a personal parallel to the aviation pioneer through her passion for windfoiling on Virginia Key, where she chases speed on the water. According to the Miami Herald, she noted that Curtiss’s life—starting from losing his father at age four and leaving school in the eighth grade—embodies the American Dream. Rather than a traditional bust, the artist proposed a full monument to encourage public gathering, stating that repetition in conversation and reflection builds community identity.
Artistic Background and Activism
Plasencia took an unconventional path to art, working previously as a social worker assisting foster families and domestic violence victims before dedicating herself full-time to sculpture.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Glenn Curtiss & June Bug Legacy Memorial unveiled?
According to the Miami Herald, the memorial was unveiled on August 22, 2026, to coincide with the centennial of Miami Springs.
Who created the Glenn Curtiss monument in Miami Springs?
The monument was created by Cuban-American sculptor Natalie Plasencia, who was born in Hialeah and raised in Miami Springs.
What historical aircraft is featured in the Miami Springs memorial?
A stylized version of the June Bug—the biplane in which Curtiss made the first public flight in the United States—is incorporated into the walk-through metal installation, according to source reporting.
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