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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{short description|American sculpture artist}}
{{short description|American sculpture artist}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Ray Villafane
| name = Ray Villafane
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date |49|2018|10|15}}
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date |49|2018|10|15}}
| birth_place = [[Queens, New York]]
| birth_place = [[Queens, New York]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| occupation = Sculpture artist
| occupation = Sculpture artist
| spouse = {{married|Tammi Schmidt|2003}}
| spouse = {{married|Tammi Schmidt|2003}}
| website = http://villafanestudios.com/
| website = {{url|villafanestudios.com}}
}}
}}


'''Ray Anthony Villafane''' (born {{circa}} 1968)<ref>{{Cite web |last=VanDenburgh |first=Barbara |title=Pumpkin carving master Ray Villafane turns pumpkins into works of art |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/grateful/2018/10/15/ray-villafane-pumpkin-carving-halloween/1591119002/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> is an American sculpture artist. Villafane was an art teacher for 12 years in [[Bellaire, Michigan]], before becoming a full-time sculptor in 2006. He gained national attention in 2007 when he competed on and won [[Food Network]]’s Challenge Show segment “Outrageous Pumpkins”.
'''Ray Anthony Villafane''' (born {{circa}} 1968)<ref>{{Cite web |last=VanDenburgh |first=Barbara |title=Pumpkin carving master Ray Villafane turns pumpkins into works of art |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/grateful/2018/10/15/ray-villafane-pumpkin-carving-halloween/1591119002/ |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> is an American sculpture artist. Villafane was an art teacher for 12 years in [[Bellaire, Michigan]], before becoming a full-time sculptor in 2006. He gained national attention in 2007 when he competed on and won [[Food Network]]’s Challenge Show segment “Outrageous Pumpkins”.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Ray Anthony Villafane was born in [[Queens, New York]], and was raised on [[Long Island]]. He graduated from the [[School of Visual Arts]] in [[New York City]] in 1991.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gamerman |first=Ellen |date=2011-10-22 |title=Ray Villafane, the Picasso of Pumpkin Carving {{!}} Creating - WSJ |url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204346104576639122627836298 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401012935/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204346104576639122627836298 |archive-date=2015-04-01 |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>
Ray Anthony Villafane was born in [[Queens, New York]], and was raised on [[Long Island]]. He graduated from the [[School of Visual Arts]] in [[New York City]] in 1991.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gamerman |first=Ellen |date=October 22, 2011 |title=Ray Villafane, the Picasso of Pumpkin Carving {{!}} Creating - WSJ |url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204346104576639122627836298 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401012935/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204346104576639122627836298 |archive-date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
Villafane worked as a K-12 art teacher<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Vanessa |date=2020-10-30 |title=Arizona man sculpts masterpieces in pumpkins |url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/arizona-man-sculpts-masterpieces-in-pumpkins/75-93851a92-d4c8-4c29-93e4-fdf11e46240c |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=12news.com |language=en-US}}</ref> in [[Bellaire, Michigan]], for 12 years. He began to carve pumpkins when one of his students brought a pumpkin to class and asked him to carve it.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Coffey |first=Laura |title=Great gourds! Take your pumpkin carving to new level |url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39527582/ns/today-today_halloween_guide/t/great-gourds-take-your-pumpkin-carving-new-level/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027171305/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39527582/ns/today-today_halloween_guide/t/great-gourds-take-your-pumpkin-carving-new-level |archive-date=2011-10-27 |publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref>
Villafane worked as a K-12 art teacher<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Vanessa |date=October 30, 2020 |title=Arizona man sculpts masterpieces in pumpkins |url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/arizona-man-sculpts-masterpieces-in-pumpkins/75-93851a92-d4c8-4c29-93e4-fdf11e46240c |access-date=September 22, 2022 |website=12news.com |language=en-US}}</ref> in [[Bellaire, Michigan]], for 12 years. He began to carve pumpkins when one of his students brought a pumpkin to class and asked him to carve it.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Coffey |first=Laura |title=Great gourds! Take your pumpkin carving to new level |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39527582 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027171305/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39527582/ns/today-today_halloween_guide/t/great-gourds-take-your-pumpkin-carving-new-level |archive-date=October 27, 2011 |publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref>


He began working part time in 2003 as a sculptor in addition to teaching. After creating a [[wax sculpture]] of the [[Marvel Entertainment|Marvel]] character [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] and posting an image of it online, he was contacted by a company selling products licensed by Marvel; they offered to produce his work.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-21 |title=The great pumpkin carver |url=https://www.royalgazette.com/archive/lifestyle/article/20111021/the-great-pumpkin-carver/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=www.royalgazette.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He resigned from teaching in 2006 to pursue a full-time sculpting career.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Craven |first=Scott |title=See it: The man who turns pumpkin-carving into art |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/life/2014/10/19/see-man-turns-pumpkin-carving-art/17550863/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref>
He began working part time in 2003 as a sculptor in addition to teaching. After creating a [[wax sculpture]] of the [[Marvel Entertainment|Marvel]] character [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] and posting an image of it online, he was contacted by a company selling products licensed by Marvel; they offered to produce his work.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2011 |title=The great pumpkin carver |url=https://www.royalgazette.com/archive/lifestyle/article/20111021/the-great-pumpkin-carver/ |access-date=September 21, 2022 |website=www.royalgazette.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He resigned from teaching in 2006 to pursue a full-time sculpting career.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Craven |first=Scott |title=See it: The man who turns pumpkin-carving into art |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/life/2014/10/19/see-man-turns-pumpkin-carving-art/17550863/ |access-date=September 21, 2022 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref>


In 2007, Villafane was contacted by [[Food Network]] and asked to appear on Food Network's Challenge Show for a segment called "Outrageous Pumpkins". He competed against three other professional pumpkin sculptors and won each of the three rounds, winning the grand prize. It received the highest ratings of any Food Network Challenge. In 2009, he was invited back to ''Outrageous Pumpkins'' and won the show a second time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-28 |title=It's "The Great Pumpkin Carver", Bermuda |url=https://bernews.com/2011/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-carver-bermuda/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=[[Bernews]]}}</ref>
In 2007, Villafane was contacted by [[Food Network]] and asked to appear on Food Network's Challenge Show for a segment called "Outrageous Pumpkins". He competed against three other professional pumpkin sculptors and won each of the three rounds, winning the grand prize. It received the highest ratings of any Food Network Challenge. In 2009, he was invited back to ''Outrageous Pumpkins'' and won the show a second time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2011 |title=It's "The Great Pumpkin Carver", Bermuda |url=https://bernews.com/2011/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-carver-bermuda/ |access-date=September 21, 2022 |website=[[Bernews]]}}</ref>


In September 2010, Villafane competed in the World Championship of Sandsculpting in [[Federal Way, Washington]],<ref name=":0" /> placing third in the doubles category alongside his partner John Gowdy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-03 |title=Lines in the sand: Artists' sculptures boggle the mind |url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39407415/ns/today-travel/t/lines-sand-artists-sculptures-boggle-mind/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103161803/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39407415/ns/today-travel/t/lines-sand-artists-sculptures-boggle-mind/ |archive-date=2011-11-03 |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>
In September 2010, Villafane competed in the World Championship of Sandsculpting in [[Federal Way, Washington]],<ref name=":0" /> placing third in the doubles category alongside his partner John Gowdy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2011 |title=Lines in the sand: Artists' sculptures boggle the mind |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39407415 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103161803/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39407415/ns/today-travel/t/lines-sand-artists-sculptures-boggle-mind/ |archive-date=November 3, 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=September 22, 2022 }}</ref>


In 2011, while attending a display at the [[New York Botanical Garden]], he carved the world's biggest pumpkin to resemble a [[zombie apocalypse]] scene.<ref name="Worlds Biggest Pumpkin">{{cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=25 Oct 2011 |title=The World's Biggest Pumpkin, Carved Into Zombies! |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/113821-The-Worlds-Biggest-Pumpkin-Carved-Into-Zombies |publisher=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]}}</ref> He also carved pumpkins for [[Heidi Klum]]'s annual Halloween party in [[Las Vegas]] in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-25 |title=Incredible (and freaky!) pumpkin carvings |url=https://www.ctpost.com/news/slideshow/Incredible-and-freaky-pumpkin-carvings-31672.php |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Connecticut Post |language=en-US}}</ref> Villafane participated in the Food Network mini-series ''[[Halloween Wars]]'' that aired in October 2011.<ref name=":1" />
In 2011, while attending a display at the [[New York Botanical Garden]], he carved the world's biggest pumpkin to resemble a [[zombie apocalypse]] scene.<ref name="Worlds Biggest Pumpkin">{{cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=October 25, 2011 |title=The World's Biggest Pumpkin, Carved Into Zombies! |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/113821-The-Worlds-Biggest-Pumpkin-Carved-Into-Zombies |publisher=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]}}</ref> He also carved pumpkins for [[Heidi Klum]]'s annual Halloween party in [[Las Vegas]] in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2011 |title=Incredible (and freaky!) pumpkin carvings |url=https://www.ctpost.com/news/slideshow/Incredible-and-freaky-pumpkin-carvings-31672.php |access-date=September 21, 2022 |website=Connecticut Post |language=en-US}}</ref> Villafane participated in the Food Network mini-series ''[[Halloween Wars]]'' that aired in October 2011.<ref name=":1" />


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Villafane married Tammi Schmidt in 2003.<ref name=":2" /> They have a [[blended family]] of six children.<ref name=":1" />
Villafane married Tammi Schmidt in 2003.<ref name=":2" /> They have a [[blended family]] of six children.<ref name=":1" />


He is allergic to pumpkins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartman |first=Steve |date=2010-10-25 |title=Meet the Edward Scissorhands of Pumpkin Carving |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meet-the-edward-scissorhands-of-pumpkin-carving/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
He is allergic to pumpkins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartman |first=Steve |date=October 25, 2010 |title=Meet the Edward Scissorhands of Pumpkin Carving |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meet-the-edward-scissorhands-of-pumpkin-carving/ |access-date=September 22, 2022 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 13:59, 2 August 2024

Ray Villafane
Born1968 or 1969 (age 55–56)
OccupationSculpture artist
Spouse
Tammi Schmidt
(m. 2003)
Websitevillafanestudios.com

Ray Anthony Villafane (born c. 1968)[1] is an American sculpture artist. Villafane was an art teacher for 12 years in Bellaire, Michigan, before becoming a full-time sculptor in 2006. He gained national attention in 2007 when he competed on and won Food Network’s Challenge Show segment “Outrageous Pumpkins”.

Early life and education

[edit]

Ray Anthony Villafane was born in Queens, New York, and was raised on Long Island. He graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1991.[2]

Career

[edit]

Villafane worked as a K-12 art teacher[3] in Bellaire, Michigan, for 12 years. He began to carve pumpkins when one of his students brought a pumpkin to class and asked him to carve it.[4]

He began working part time in 2003 as a sculptor in addition to teaching. After creating a wax sculpture of the Marvel character Wolverine and posting an image of it online, he was contacted by a company selling products licensed by Marvel; they offered to produce his work.[5] He resigned from teaching in 2006 to pursue a full-time sculpting career.[6]

In 2007, Villafane was contacted by Food Network and asked to appear on Food Network's Challenge Show for a segment called "Outrageous Pumpkins". He competed against three other professional pumpkin sculptors and won each of the three rounds, winning the grand prize. It received the highest ratings of any Food Network Challenge. In 2009, he was invited back to Outrageous Pumpkins and won the show a second time.[7]

In September 2010, Villafane competed in the World Championship of Sandsculpting in Federal Way, Washington,[4] placing third in the doubles category alongside his partner John Gowdy.[8]

In 2011, while attending a display at the New York Botanical Garden, he carved the world's biggest pumpkin to resemble a zombie apocalypse scene.[9] He also carved pumpkins for Heidi Klum's annual Halloween party in Las Vegas in 2011.[10] Villafane participated in the Food Network mini-series Halloween Wars that aired in October 2011.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

Villafane married Tammi Schmidt in 2003.[6] They have a blended family of six children.[2]

He is allergic to pumpkins.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ VanDenburgh, Barbara. "Pumpkin carving master Ray Villafane turns pumpkins into works of art". USA Today. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Gamerman, Ellen (October 22, 2011). "Ray Villafane, the Picasso of Pumpkin Carving | Creating - WSJ". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Ramirez, Vanessa (October 30, 2020). "Arizona man sculpts masterpieces in pumpkins". 12news.com. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Coffey, Laura. "Great gourds! Take your pumpkin carving to new level". MSNBC. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011.
  5. ^ "The great pumpkin carver". www.royalgazette.com. October 21, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Craven, Scott. "See it: The man who turns pumpkin-carving into art". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "It's "The Great Pumpkin Carver", Bermuda". Bernews. October 28, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "Lines in the sand: Artists' sculptures boggle the mind". November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  9. ^ Chalk, Andy (October 25, 2011). "The World's Biggest Pumpkin, Carved Into Zombies!". The Escapist.
  10. ^ "Incredible (and freaky!) pumpkin carvings". Connecticut Post. October 25, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Hartman, Steve (October 25, 2010). "Meet the Edward Scissorhands of Pumpkin Carving". CBS News. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
[edit]