Monday, October 3, 2016

Famed Richmond Sculptor DiPasquale visits Reynolds to discuss “Why Art Matters”



Reynolds recently hosted Richmond sculptor Paul DiPasquale as he shared his presentation “Art Talk, Why Art Matters” in the college’s Conference Center Gallery of the Workforce Development and Conference Center on the Parham Road Campus. 



DiPasquale investigates and produces public sculpture about history and the people who made it. Some of his most recognizable works include - the Arthur Ashe Monument on Richmond's Monument Avenue for which he was chosen Richmonder of the Year in 1996 by Style Magazine, Neptune Virginia Beach, which is a 34 foot tall bronze unveiled in 2005 on the Virginia Beach boardwalk, and the Virginia Beach Law Enforcement Memorial, which is a 20 foot bronze and granite monument honoring officers who died in the line of duty. His public bronze portrait figure and bust commissions include: Governor and Mrs. Godwin, Oliver Hill, Mary Tyler Cheek, Dr. M. L. King, and Jimmy Dean.

Speaking to students, faculty, staff and people from the community, DiPasquale showcased a number of his works in a slideshow. His presentation also included discussing how his sculpture “Connecticut” ended up in Richmond after being scheduled to be placed in Washington, D.C. and how his famed sculpture Neptune came within two days on never happening.    

“When we look at tonight’s topic, I think it would be appropriate to ask – Art is what?,” DiPasqual stated, “Part of art is history. History which is stories about people from past, present and future. Art is also inventions. Inventions to portray people like they have never been portrayed before.”

A graduate in Sociology with an Art minor from the University of Virginia, DiPasquale trained at the Boston Architectural Center, received his Master’s degree in Sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1977 and has been an instructor, resident, and/or visiting artist at Northern Virginia Community College, Maryland Institute, American Academy in Rome, International City of the Arts in Paris, the College of William and Mary and adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University.
(L-R: Reynolds President Dr. Rhodes, Reynolds Art Curator Karen Steele and DiPasquale)














More on DiPasquale and his works can be found at http://pauldipasquale.info/