The Artist, the Aviator, and the Legacy: Glenn Curtiss Remembered
Honoring Glenn Curtiss Through the Eyes of
Natalie Plasencia
From Hammondsport to Miami Springs:
The Story Behind the Glenn Curtiss Legacy Memorial
Most people know Glenn Hammond Curtiss as the pioneering aviator and motorcycle racing legend whose remarkable journey began along the shores of Keuka Lake in Hammondsport, New York. Fewer realize that Glenn and his wife, Lena Neff Curtiss, eventually carried that same pioneering spirit nearly 1,300 miles south to Florida, where they would spend the later years of their lives together helping shape an entirely new community.
In 1926, Curtiss co-founded what would become Miami Springs, transforming open land into one of South Florida's first thoughtfully planned communities. Broad tree-lined boulevards, distinctive Mediterranean Revival architecture, abundant green spaces, and an airport made possible in part by Curtiss' donation of more than 100 acres of land reflected the same vision and innovation that had made him one of the world's greatest aviation pioneers.
Glenn and Lena became deeply rooted in the community they helped create, and although Glenn passed away in 1930, his influence has never faded. Nearly a century later, Miami Springs continues to celebrate the legacy of the quiet, determined man from the small village of Hammondsport whose imagination and perseverance helped change both aviation history and the landscape of South Florida.
As the city marks its 100th anniversary, it is doing more than remembering its founder—it is honoring the hometown values, visionary spirit, and enduring legacy of the Keuka Lake dreamer who proved that even someone from a small Finger Lakes community could leave an extraordinary mark on the world.
The Vision Behind the Sculpture
Honoring Glenn Curtiss Through the Eyes of Artist Natalie Plasencia
Every great memorial begins with an artist who understands that history is more than a collection of dates and accomplishments—it is the story of the human spirit.
As Miami Springs celebrates its Centennial in 2026, the community is honoring its founder, Glenn Hammond Curtiss, in a way as innovative as the man himself. Rather than commissioning a traditional monument, the city has chosen to create an immersive experience that tells the story of the bicycle mechanic from Hammondsport, New York, who forever changed aviation and went on to found an entirely new community in South Florida.
That vision belongs to acclaimed sculptor Natalie Plasencia.
Raised in Hialeah, Florida, Plasencia grew up in a home where creativity and service naturally intertwined. She accompanied her father to architecture and construction sites, watched her mother devote herself to helping women and children, learned the art of sewing from her grandmothers, and discovered painting through the encouragement of her spiritual mentor. Those early influences nurtured a lifelong fascination with the dignity, resilience, and beauty of the human spirit.
While studying fine arts, she immersed herself in sculpture, exploring the delicate strength of humanity through wax, plaster, mold making, bronze, metal, and fabric. Later earning a graduate degree in social work, she never viewed art and service as separate callings. Instead, they became inseparable.
Throughout her career she worked with women and children escaping domestic violence, emotionally disturbed children in foster care, patients in psychiatric hospitals, and young men within the juvenile justice system. She later studied expressive arts therapy in Boston, designed costumes for the Harvard Department of Dance, and continued to use art as a way to heal, inspire, and preserve memory.
Today, maintaining studios in both Miami and Islamorada, Natalie continues creating works rooted in history, faith, and community. She often describes working with wax and bronze as an act of reverence.
"To work with metals is one of the most glorious experiences."
After spending time talking with Natalie, I can honestly say the City of Miami Springs could not have chosen a more fitting artist to memorialize Glenn Curtiss.
From the moment our conversation began, her warmth and welcoming personality immediately put me at ease. Yet what impressed me most was the passion that filled every story she shared. As Natalie spoke about Glenn Curtiss, it became evident this was far more than another commission. She had immersed herself in learning not only the achievements of one of aviation's greatest pioneers, but the character of the man himself.
Her enthusiasm for Glenn Curtiss rippled throughout our conversation.
By the time our interview ended, I had no doubt the people of Miami Springs had selected exactly the right artist. Like Glenn himself, Natalie possesses an insatiable curiosity, a deep respect for history, and a sincere desire to inspire future generations through her work.
That philosophy has become the foundation of the Glenn Curtiss & June Bug Legacy Memorial.
Learning the Man Before Sculpting Him
For Natalie Plasencia, every sculpture begins long before the first piece of clay is touched.
It begins by learning the person.
She explained that before she could sculpt Glenn Curtiss, she needed to understand who he truly was—not simply the inventor, entrepreneur, or aviation pioneer celebrated in history books, but the curious young man who chased the wind, challenged convention, and never stopped asking, "What if?"
That search for authenticity led her deep into Glenn's remarkable life.
Working alongside Richard Leisenring Jr., one of the nation's foremost Glenn Curtiss historians, local historians, and another historical consultant who helped develop the twelve interpretive bronze story panels surrounding the memorial, Natalie immersed herself in research. Together they examined photographs, historical documents, personal stories, and countless details that revealed Glenn's personality as much as his accomplishments.
She wasn't simply sculpting a face.
She was striving to reveal the truth of the man.
That dedication shines throughout every element of the memorial.
A Community Celebrating One Hundred Years
In 1926, Glenn Curtiss founded what would become Miami Springs, envisioning a community unlike any other in South Florida. Wide boulevards, distinctive architecture, abundant green space, and aviation innovation became the hallmarks of his dream.
His generosity extended far beyond development.
Curtiss donated more than one hundred acres of land for what would become the city's airport, believing communities flourish when people invest in their future.
One hundred years later, that same community has embraced his legacy.
The campaign to fund the Glenn Curtiss & June Bug Legacy Memorial became a true grassroots effort. Residents, businesses, historians, and supporters rallied together, raising the necessary funds in less than six months—a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about the respect Miami Springs continues to hold for its founder.
The effort culminated during the Glenn Curtiss Centennial Gala in February 2026, celebrating not only the city's first century but the remarkable man whose vision made it possible.
More Than a Monument
The memorial will stand in the heart of Curtiss Parkway, the beautiful green boulevard that stretches through Miami Springs. It is the city's gathering place—a location where parades march, families celebrate, and neighbors come together.
There could be no more appropriate setting.
At the center of the memorial will stand a life-sized bronze sculpture of Glenn Curtiss, portraying the quiet confidence and determined spirit that carried a young bicycle mechanic from Hammondsport, New York, to the forefront of aviation history.
Surrounding him will be twelve beautifully crafted enamal relief panels chronicling the extraordinary chapters of his life—from bicycle racer and motorcycle builder to aviation pioneer, military innovator, entrepreneur, and founder of Miami Springs.
Yet perhaps the memorial's most breathtaking feature stands around it.
Inspired by Curtiss' legendary June Bug, the aircraft that won the Scientific American Trophy in 1908, an architectural interpretation of its wings will stand on its wings allowing visitors to walk through and explore.
The original June Bug measured 42 feet, 6 inches from wingtip to wingtip.
The memorial's interpretation stretches 43 feet, constructed from brass, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Rather than recreating the airplane intact, Natalie and her husband, architect Juan Calvo, chose something far more imaginative.
They deconstructed the June Bug.
Using Juan's architectural drawings as the foundation, the airplane becomes an immersive, walk-through experience. Visitors won't simply look at history—they will step inside it, walking around the wings while following Glenn Curtiss' remarkable journey from the shores of Keuka Lake to the founding of Miami Springs.
Like Glenn himself, the memorial refuses to stand still.
It invites exploration.
From Sketch to Bronze
Every sculpture begins with a simple drawing.
From those first sketches, Natalie develops detailed clay models, carefully refining every expression, every gesture, every fold of clothing until the sculpture reflects not only the likeness of the subject, but his personality.
Only then does one of the oldest artistic traditions in human history begin.
The clay sculpture is covered with layers of latex before being reinforced with a rigid resin shell that preserves every detail. Once removed, the mold is filled with molten wax, creating an exact wax replica of the sculpture.
This becomes the foundation of the ancient lost-wax casting process, a technique perfected more than five thousand years ago and still regarded as the finest method for producing bronze sculpture.
The wax model is encased in a ceramic shell and heated in a kiln. As the temperature rises, the wax melts away—becoming the "lost wax" that gives the process its name. Left behind is a perfect hollow mold into which molten bronze, heated to nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, is poured.
Once cooled, the ceramic shell is carefully broken away.
Individual bronze pieces are welded together, every seam is chased and refined by hand, and a carefully applied chemical patina gives the sculpture its rich color and timeless appearance.
It is a painstaking process requiring extraordinary craftsmanship, patience, and artistry.
For Natalie, each mold, every bronze pour, and every finished surface represents another opportunity to preserve a life worthy of remembrance.
A Legacy Cast in Bronze
Together, Natalie Plasencia and Juan Calvo have devoted decades to public art, architecture, civic engagement, and historic preservation throughout Miami Springs.
Their collaboration on the Glenn Curtiss & June Bug Legacy Memorial reflects all those passions.
This is not simply a statue.
It is sculpture, architecture, engineering, storytelling, and history woven together into a place where future generations can experience the life of Glenn Curtiss in a deeply personal way.
As I finished my conversation with Natalie, I found myself thinking about Glenn Curtiss himself.
He believed that imagination could become reality.
Natalie Plasencia believes history can become something people can feel.
Together, separated by a century yet united by creativity, they remind us that the greatest legacies are never measured solely by what we build.
They are measured by what we inspire.
And thanks to the vision of one remarkable artist and an entire community determined to honor its founder, visitors to Miami Springs will soon be able to walk around the wings of the June Bug, look into the face of Glenn Curtiss, and discover the extraordinary man whose journey began beside the quiet waters of Keuka Lake before forever changing the world.
A Note from Keuka Roots
From someone who lives above the crooked lake we now call Keuka, on a road Glenn Curtiss undoubtedly traveled countless times by bicycle between Rock Stream and Hammondsport, I cannot adequately express how deeply moved I was by the dedication and passion the people of Miami Springs have shown in honoring one of our own.
Listening to Natalie Plasencia speak about Glenn Curtiss, seeing the vision for this extraordinary memorial, and learning how an entire community has come together to celebrate its founder left me with one overwhelming thought:
I want to go there. I need to go there.
I want to stand before the bronze statue of Glenn Curtiss and see for myself the remarkable likeness Natalie has created. It is so lifelike that I can't help but wonder if, somehow, his heart still beats beneath the bronze.
I want to walk around the soaring wings of the June Bug. I want to pause at each of the twelve story panels and follow the journey of a young man whose dreams first took flight along the shores of Keuka Lake before carrying him to the world beyond.
And if those enamel panels could listen, I would tell them about the little village of Hammondsport. About the crooked lake that nurtured a curious boy with grease on his hands, impossible ideas in his head, and the determination to chase the wind. I would tell them that while Keuka Lake helped shape Glenn Curtiss, it could never contain the size of his dreams.
On behalf of all of us here at Keuka Roots, thank you to the entire City of Miami Springs for preserving and celebrating the legacy of Glenn Hammond Curtiss with such dignity, vision, and heart.
Our sincere thanks to Councilman Jorge Santin for his leadership and unwavering commitment to this remarkable project, and to Natalie Plasencia, whose artistry and compassion have transformed history into something future generations will be able to experience, not simply observe.
You have honored not only the founder of your city, but also the small-town boy from Hammondsport who dared to believe the impossible was simply something that had not been accomplished...yet.
For that, we are profoundly grateful.
Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka.
