Utterly Mad

I have something to "top" it, but don't think I can do it in just one year without a big population, or with the space available.

You'd be surprised. The kobolds are surprisingly efficient in their work. They seem to move slower than dwarves with the statues, but they seemed to make the statues quicker. That's prolly just my imagination though. Our fort is also filled with masons, so there was no shortage of bolds to work on statues, even after the cascade. Wilson is the fastest and most skilled of the masons. I also drafted three peasants as stone detailers so I could get the room done on time, but I don't think they ever actually touched the room.

TL:DR
we have a lot of capable stone workers.