Virgil Cantini
Virgil D. Cantini | |
|---|---|
Virgil Cantini instructing a class at the University of Pittsburgh during the 1956-57 school year | |
| Born | February 28, 1919 |
| Died | May 2, 2009 Pittsburgh |
| Nationality | Italian-American, U.S. Resident since 1930 |
| Education | Manhattan College, BFA, Carnegie Mellon University, MFA, University of Pittsburgh Hon. D., Duquesne University |
| Known for | Enamelist, Sculptor |
| Notable work | "Man" sculpture (1965) "Joy of Life" (1969) |
| Awards | Time Magazine "Hundred Leaders of Tomorrow" (1953) Guggenheim Fellowship (1957) Pope Paul VI Bishop's Medal (1964) Davinci Medal (1968) |
Virgil David Cantini (February 28, 1919 – May 2, 2009) was an American enamelist, sculptor and educator. He was well known for innovation with enamel and steel and received both local and national recognition for his work, including honorary awards, competitive prizes and commissions, along with a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1957. Cantini long served as a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, where he helped to create the Department of Studio Arts. A longtime resident of the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cantini died on May 2, 2009, at the age of 90. Today, many of his large scale works are on display throughout the city of Pittsburgh.