Francesco Castelluccio (born April 12, 1955) is an American sculptor. He studied anatomy at the
Art Students League of New York
The Art Students League of New York is an art school at 215 West 57th Street in Manhattan, New York City, New York. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists.
Although artists may stu ...
and the
School of Visual Arts
The School of Visual Arts New York City (SVA NYC) is a private for-profit art school in New York City. It was founded in 1947 and is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design.
History
This school was started by ...
, both in New York City.
Life and career
Castelluccio was born to Italian-immigrant parents on April 12, 1955, in
Newark, New Jersey
Newark ( , ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County and the second largest city within the New York metropolitan area. He owns Franco Fine Art Studio in
Winter Springs, Florida
Winter Springs is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,342 at the 2020 census. According to the 2019 Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 37,312. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanfo ...
.
In 2021, Castelluccio completed a bust of
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...
to mark the opening of the
Plant Riverside District
Plant Riverside District is a mixed-use development in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Located on the west end of historic River Street, the development opened in 2020 after several years of construction. A JW Marriott hotel anchors the develo ...
in
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah ( ) is the oldest city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia and is the county seat of Chatham County, Georgia, Chatham County. Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, the city of Savannah became the Kingdom of Great Br ...
. The work was commissioned by hotelier Richard C. Kessler, at a cost of around $110,000. The bust was approved by King's family, and it was unveiled by his sister-in-law Dr. Naomi King.
Selected works
* ''The Double Helix-Mutation of Increased Compassion''
* ''9/11 Pieta''
* Martin Luther King Jr. bust (Savannah, Georgia)