Joseph Menna
Joseph F. Menna is an American sculptor and engraver who has worked in both digital and traditional sculpture media.
Biography
Menna trained formally at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York Academy Graduate School of Figurative Art in New York City, New York and Saint Petersburg Art and Industry Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia..[1] Menna sculpted the reverse of the 2010 Lincoln Cent. He also supplemented his training with studies at Arts Students League, and the Sculpture Center in Manhattan, New York.[1]
Menna was raised in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey. After graduating from Highland Regional High School he attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia from which he graduated in 1992. He was awarded a Master's Degree in 1994 from the New York Academy of Art.[2]
As a professional fine art sculptor, Menna's clients include DC Comics, Fisher-Price and Hasbro, among others.[3][4]
In 2005, Menna joined the United States Mint as a medallic sculptor. He sculpted the design of United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Lyndall Bass into the 2010 Lincoln Cent and his initials, JFM, appear on the reverse of the coin under the right side of the scroll.[5]
After spending many years in the world of fine art sculpture and public art, he combined his lifelong love of comics, sci-fi, and fantasy to work in the toy and collectible world. He has expanded his efforts into visual development for film and games. Beyond his sculpture skills, Menna is known for his strong classical drawing ability which informs the 2D concept work he does for his clients and personal work. His list of current and former clients includes DC Entertainment (DC Collectibles), Gentle Giant, McFarlane Toys, Dark Horse Comics, Mattel, Fisher-Price, Hasbro, and many others involved in both the fine art and collectible sculpture worlds. His sculpting work can also be seen on the 2014 Everglades National Park quarter.[6]
Awards and honors
Along with the 2010 Lincoln Cent, Menna is also credited with designing or sculpting:
- 2007 First Spouse Martha Washington obverse (design and sculpt)
- 2007 First Spouse Abigail Adams obverse (design and sculpt)
- 2007 Utah State Quarter reverse (design and sculpt)
- 2007 Presidential $1 George Washington obverse (design and sculpt)
- 2007 Presidential $1 Thomas Jefferson obverse (design and sculpt)
- 2006 San Francisco Mint Gold obverse (sculpt)
References
- ^ a b "The United States Mint Sculptors and Engravers". United States Mint. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ^ Mucha, Peter. "Carving heroes and villains from virtual clay; Joseph Menna has worked on everything from Jefferson to Batman to the world's biggest statue.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 18, 2014. Accessed April 25, 2016. "So it's not surprising to hear Menna say his enthusiasm for art grew from his love of comic books, sci-fi and fantasy while growing up in Blackwood, Camden County, where he graduated from Highland Regional High School."
- ^ Menna, Joseph. "Home". Joseph Menna. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ^ Menna, Joseph. "Biography". Joseph Menna. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ^ "The United States Mint Pressroom". United States Mint. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ^ Everglades National Park Quarter, National Park Quarters. Accessed April 25, 2016. "Designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Joseph Menna, the reverse or tails side of the Everglades National Park Quarter features an anhinga with outstretched wings on a willow tree with a roseate spoonbill visible in the mid-ground."
External links
- Joseph Menna's website
- Action Figure Insider's interview with Joseph Menna
- Joseph Menna's digital scultpures
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