Vincent Villafranca
Encyclopedia
Vincent Villafranca is an American sculptor. He creates bronze sculptures ranging from traditional wildlife imagery to futuristic science-fiction-based imagery.
and spent his early years in Venezuela
, Mexico
and Del Rio, Texas
. Even at a young age, Vincent used his unique imagination to create works of art out of common items. Vincent would paint, sketch and create small sculptures as a child. Much of his early work was influenced by television and film, particularly westerns and science-fiction films. He earned a B.A.
in History from Southwest Texas State University
in 1994 and apprenticed at Michael Hall's Studio Foundry during his final year of undergraduate studies.
since 1996.
In 2009, Vincent created the physical bronze sculpture used as the Bradbury Award
. This award was presented to Joss Whedon
by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
during the 2009 Nebula Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, California. In 2010, the award was presented to Neill Blomkamp
and Terri Tatchell
, the writers of District 9
.
.
Early life and education
Vincent Villafranca was born January 25, 1969 in Monterey, CaliforniaMonterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
and spent his early years in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Del Rio, Texas
Del Rio, Texas
Del Rio is a border city in and the county seat of Val Verde County, Texas, United States.. Del Rio is connected with Ciudad Acuña via the Lake Amistad Dam International Crossing and Del Río-Ciudad Acuña International Bridge...
. Even at a young age, Vincent used his unique imagination to create works of art out of common items. Vincent would paint, sketch and create small sculptures as a child. Much of his early work was influenced by television and film, particularly westerns and science-fiction films. He earned a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in History from Southwest Texas State University
Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos is a doctoral-granting university located in San Marcos, Texas...
in 1994 and apprenticed at Michael Hall's Studio Foundry during his final year of undergraduate studies.
Career
Vincent has worked with David Iles of Bolivar Bronze in Bolivar, TexasBolivar, Texas
Bolivar is an unincorporated community in northern Denton County, Texas, United States, at the intersection of Farm Roads 2450 and 455, 14 miles northwest of Denton, on Clear Creek.-History:...
since 1996.
In 2009, Vincent created the physical bronze sculpture used as the Bradbury Award
Bradbury Award
The Ray Bradbury Award is presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America to recognize excellence in screenwriting...
. This award was presented to Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, or SFWA is a nonprofit association of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. It was founded in 1965 by Damon Knight under the name Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc. and it retains the acronym SFWA after a very brief use of the SFFWA...
during the 2009 Nebula Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, California. In 2010, the award was presented to Neill Blomkamp
Neill Blomkamp
Neill Blomkamp is an Afrikaner-Canadian film and advertisement writer and director. Blomkamp employs a documentary-style, hand-held, cinéma vérité technique, blending naturalistic and photo-realistic computer-generated effects. He is best known as the co-writer and director of critically acclaimed...
and Terri Tatchell
Terri Tatchell
Terri Tatchell is a Canadian screenwriter, best known for the co-writing the screenplay of District 9 and was nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay at the 82nd Academy Awards.-Biography:...
, the writers of District 9
District 9
District 9 is a 2009 South African science fiction thriller film directed by Neill Blomkamp. It was written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. The film stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, and David James...
.
Marriage and children
Vincent Villafranca and Michelle Mitchell were married in Hays, TexasHays, Texas
Hays is a city in Hays County, Texas, United States. The population was 233 at the 2000 census; it was 242 in the 2005 census estimate.-Geography:Hays is located at , southwest of downtown Austin....
.
Awards
- 2006: Best 3-D Art, World Fantasy ConventionWorld Fantasy ConventionThe World Fantasy Convention is an annual convention of professionals, collectors, and others interested in the field of fantasy. It places emphasis on literature and art, while de-emphasizing dramatic presentation, gaming, masquerade, and the like. The World Fantasy Awards are presented at the...
, "The Poacher's Nightmare" - 2007: Body of Work, World Fantasy Convention
- 2008: Chesley AwardChesley AwardsThe Chesley Awards were established in 1985 by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists to recognize individual artistic works and achievements during a given year. The Chesleys were initially called the ASFA Awards, but were later renamed to honor famed astronomical artist Chesley...
, Best 3-D Art, "A Conscious Entity & Its Maker" - 2008: Jurors' Award, World Science Fiction ConventionWorldconWorldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
, "The Celestial Itinerant" - 2009: Chesley Award, Best 3-D Art, "Otherworldly Procession" (Bronze)
- 2010: Chesley Award, Best 3-D Art, "The Switching Hour"