Virgil Cantini

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.

Life A native of Italy, Cantini and his family emigrated to Weirton, West Virginia, in the 1920s. He initially attended Manhattan College in New York before transferring to Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon) where he received a football scholarship and earned All-America status as a quarterback. and lived for 60 years. His home on the 200 block of South Craig Street also served as his studio and gallery. and in 1968, he was awarded the Davinci Medal by the Cultural Heritage Foundation of the Italian Sons & Daughters of America.

Cantini taught at the University of Pittsburgh for 38 years, retiring in 1989. He was the first chair of the Department of Studio Arts, which he is credited with establishing. Cantini formerly served as the chair of the Department of Art, and served as Professor of Studio Arts, Emeritus until his death.

Partial list of works The Man sculpture by Virgil Cantini on the facade of Parran Hall.

Side view of Science and Mankind mural in the Chevron Science Center.

24 by 36 foot Mosaic, Teplitz Memorial Moot Courtroom, Barco Law Building, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, representing the artist's conception of the harmony of the law and the rich tapestry of the American legal system Mosaic Tunnel, Glass mosaic (1964), Pedestrian tunnel behind U.S. Steel Tower, beneath Bigelow Boulevard, downtown Pittsburgh. Cantini designed Man as a sculpture referring to the body, knowledge, and health. Joy of Life, Cor-Ten steel sculpture (1969), East Liberty Mall at Penn and Highland Avenues, Pittsburgh. Joy of Life has been relocated to a nearby traffic island, at another corner of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church, at South Whitfield Street and Baum Boulevard. Aerial Scape, Skyscape, Porcelain enamel (1970), One Oliver Plaza, Rear Lobby, 210 Sixth Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh. Rear lobby of One Oliver Plaza is to be remodeled in 2009 and the artwork has been given as a gift to the University of Pittsburgh. Will be relocated to Posvar Hall. Enlightenment and Joy, porcelain enamel mural (1977) entrance to Wesley W. Posvar Hall University of Pittsburgh. The vibrant colors are the result of several layers of paint on each individual tile. Enamel and steel sculpture featured in the entrance vestibule of the New Castle YMCA. Commissioned in 1964 it was installed as a memorial to Dr. Paul H. Wilson. Featuring rays emanating from a large piece of glass, the sculpture represents the Bible verse 'I am the light' and symbolizes the concept of Christianity spread by the YMCA.