VCU news

By J. Suzanne Horsley

RICHMOND, Va. – The world’s largest sculpture organization will honor a Virginia Commonwealth University professor for his outstanding arts education career, spanning nearly three decades. On June 9, the International Sculpture Center will present the 2001 Outstanding Sculpture Educator award to Joseph H. Seipel, M.F.A., chair of VCU’s Department of Sculpture, during the International Sculpture Conference in Pittsburgh.

Seipel, who has taught at VCU for 27 years and is serving his 16th year as department chair, attributes his success to being part of a nationally recognized studio arts program. VCU’s graduate sculpture program is ranked among the nation’s top five, and the School of the Arts is ranked in the top 20, according to U.S. News & World Report.

"I am receiving this award because of the work of many talented people," said Seipel. "Over the years our reputation has grown considerably. We have faculty showing their work all over the world, and our alumni are doing terrific. They have shown in major museums and received numerous international awards. I’ve been fortunate to be chair during all of this."

As evidence of the department’s success, Seipel points to an invitation from the Kim Foster Gallery in New York City for nine recent M.F.A. graduates to exhibit their sculptures this month. This is VCU’s second exhibition at the gallery and a rare honor, according to Seipel, who explained that this opportunity usually is reserved for elite New York art programs.

"Joe really found ways to put the department of sculpture on the national map," said Richard Toscan, Ph.D., dean of the School of the Arts. "And he did it by developing with his faculty one of the best places in the U.S. to study sculpture. He's accomplished a tremendous amount for VCU and the School of the Arts."

Recipients of the ISC award must demonstrate that they have shared their knowledge and personal experience gained through the creation of their own work with students throughout their career while providing inspiration and guidance for students that is worthy of this distinction.

"Seipel is well-known to all sculptors teaching in the U.S.," said Michael Hall, a member of the ISC's board of directors and chair of the Sculpture Educator Award Committee. "He is the natural and undisputed choice for the ISC's Outstanding Sculpture Educator Award this year."

Along with Seipel, the ISC will honor internationally known sculptor Nam June Paik with the Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture award. This Korean-born artist has been called the "father of video art" and is regarded as being the first to master video technology as an artistic medium.

In July, Seipel will end his long term as department chair and start a new position as associate dean of academic affairs and director of graduate studies for the School of the Arts. He will continue to teach after assuming his new administrative duties.

Seipel received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and his master’s of fine arts degree from Maryland Institute’s Rinehart School of Sculpture. His studio production is monumental in scale and ranges from conceptually-based objects to multimedia pieces and robotics.