Alumnus receives prestigious international sculpture award

Fine Arts alumnus Kyle Franklin (CCAD 2014) was recently named a recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award by the International Sculpture Center.

Students from more than 151 colleges and universities in six countries submitted more than 904 pieces for consideration; 22 pieces were chosen to receive the prestigious award.

For Franklin, the award came as a surprise.

"As an artist [who just graduated with a] BFA, it is one of the highest honors you can get in sculptural work," he said. "It is extremely competitive to even be considered, so to be chosen as one of the award recipients is very humbling and validating. It also has the potential to open many more doors."

Franklin's award-winning piece, Figure 1, will be on display at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ, from October 2014 through March 2015 and will be featured in the October 2014 issue of Sculpture magazine.

As an award winner, Franklin will have the opportunity to participate in a traveling exhibition and apply for international residency programs.

Established in 1994, the annual Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award recognizes young sculptors and seeks to draw attention to sculpture programs at participating colleges, universities, and art schools.

The International Sculpture Center is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1960 to champion the creation and understanding of sculpture and its contribution to society.

Franklin is from Marion, IL, and attended Johnston City High School.