Baltimore artist Joseph Sheppard has won one of the top international sculpture prizes. Sheppard was presented with the 18th Edizione Premio Internazionale di Scultura on September 12th in Pietrasanta, Italy. The likes of Fernando Botero, Gio Pomodoro, and Jean-Michael Folon have won the prize in the past.

“It is an honor for me to be recognized by such an important organization as I Soci Del Circolo Culturale and to keep company with many of the world’s most distinguished sculptors,” said Sheppard in a press release.

Locally, Sheppard created the bronze sculpture for Baltimore's Holocaust Memorial and a statue honoring John Paul the ll. The latter piece will be dedicated in the prayer garden of the Baltimore Basilica of the Assumption on October 23rd.

A distinguished painter, as well, Sheppard contributed to Baltimore's "See Hear" project in 2005.