RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A prominent figure at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Joseph Henry Seipel, has died at the age of 76.
Seipel died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 12, after being surrounded by friends and family in the days prior.
He served as dean of VCUArts for several years, but Seipel’s impact on the university and its surrounding community did not stop there. Before becoming dean, Seipel served as a professor and chairman, leading the school’s MFA sculpture program to a number one ranking by U.S. News and World Report, according to a recent obituary.
Seipel earned many accolades throughout his 42-year-long career at VCU, including a Life Time Achievement Award for Sculpture Education, a Person of the Year win in 2018, and a Theresa Pollak Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Joe Seipel. (Photo: VCU)
He often took any chance he got to brag about the artistic talent of his students, creating an everlasting impact on the arts scene of VCU and the Richmond area in general, according to VCU. The university described him as “powerful yet playful” and said he will be very missed.
Seipel leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Suzanne, and his daughter Chloe.
VCUArts gallery The Anderson will host an exhibition titled “Joe Seipel: Yours & Mine” from Aug. 20 through Sept. 28 as a way to honor the life and work of Seipel. The exhibit will showcase the several different works and media Seipel created in his artistic career that spanned five decades.
Additionally, a service and celebration of life will be held for Seipel at the Institute for Contemporary Art at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A prominent figure at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Joseph Henry Seipel, has died at the age of 76.
Seipel died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 12, after being surrounded by friends and family in the days prior.
He served as dean of VCUArts for several years, but Seipel’s impact on the university and its surrounding community did not stop there. Before becoming dean, Seipel served as a professor and chairman, leading the school’s MFA sculpture program to a number one ranking by U.S. News and World Report, according to a recent obituary.
Seipel earned many accolades throughout his 42-year-long career at VCU, including a Life Time Achievement Award for Sculpture Education, a Person of the Year win in 2018, and a Theresa Pollak Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Joe Seipel. (Photo: VCU)
He often took any chance he got to brag about the artistic talent of his students, creating an everlasting impact on the arts scene of VCU and the Richmond area in general, according to VCU. The university described him as “powerful yet playful” and said he will be very missed.
Seipel leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Suzanne, and his daughter Chloe.
VCUArts gallery The Anderson will host an exhibition titled “Joe Seipel: Yours & Mine” from Aug. 20 through Sept. 28 as a way to honor the life and work of Seipel. The exhibit will showcase the several different works and media Seipel created in his artistic career that spanned five decades.
Additionally, a service and celebration of life will be held for Seipel at the Institute for Contemporary Art at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25.