Joseph Menna

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.{{cite web|title=The United States Mint Sculptors and Engravers|url=http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/sculptor_engravers/?action=Menna|publisher=United States Mint|accessdate=4 November 2010|archive-date=27 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127035144/http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/sculptor_engravers/?action=Menna|url-status=dead}} 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.

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.Mucha, Peter. [http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/Sculptor_Joseph_Menna_carves_heroes_villains_from_virtual_clay.html "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."

As a professional fine art sculptor, Menna's clients include the United States Mint, DC Comics, Fisher-Price and Hasbro, among others.{{cite web|last=Menna|first=Joseph|title=Home|url=http://www.josephmenna.com/|publisher=Joseph Menna|accessdate=4 November 2010}}{{cite web|last=Menna|first=Joseph|title=Biography|url=http://www.josephmenna.com/biography.htm|publisher=Joseph Menna|accessdate=4 November 2010}}

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.{{cite web|title=The United States Mint Pressroom|url=http://usmint.gov/pressroom/?flash=yes&action=press_release&ID=1101|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222005955/http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/?flash=yes&action=press_release&ID=1101|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2010|publisher=United States Mint|accessdate=4 November 2010}}

His sculpting work can also be seen on the 2014 Everglades National Park quarter.[http://www.parkquarters.com/everglades-national-park-quarter 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."

Menna has also done the Digital concept sculpture for the Statue of Unity, situated in Gujarat, India. It is currently the tallest statue in the world at 597 feet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2014/04/14/american-artist-joseph-menna-commissioned-make-statue-sardar-vallabhai-patel-gujarat/|title=American artist Joseph Menna commissioned to make statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel in Gujarat|date=April 15, 2014}}

In February 2019, Menna became the 14th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usmint.gov/learn/artists/sculptors-joseph-menna|title=Joseph Menna, Chief Engraver | U.S. Mint|website=www.usmint.gov|date=3 June 2016 }} The position had been vacant since 2010.

A resident of Bordentown, New Jersey, Menna and his wife have three children.Mucha, Peter [http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/Sculptor_Joseph_Menna_carves_heroes_villains_from_virtual_clay.html "Carving heroes and villains from virtual clay; Joseph Menna has worked on everything from Jefferson to Batman to the world's biggest statue."], March 18, 2014. Accessed July 22, 2020. "Menna met his wife at the Steiglitz academy. Julianna Menna, a painter with her own fantasy-world style, specializes in portraying grotesque characters in ornate dress.... They’re raising three children in Bordentown, Burlington County."

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)
• 2007 Presidential $1 William Henry Harrison obverse (design and sculpt)
• 2006 San Francisco Mint Gold obverse (sculpt)

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.artstation.com/artist/jmenna Joseph Menna at Artstation]
• [http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/features/interview-joseph-menna/ Action Figure Insider's interview with Joseph Menna]
• [http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?166277-Joe-Menna-Toy-and-Collectible-Sculpts Joseph Menna's digital sculptures]

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Category:20th-century American sculptors

Category:Living people

Category:Highland Regional High School alumni

Category:New York Academy of Art alumni

Category:People from Bordentown, New Jersey

Category:People from Gloucester Township, New Jersey

Category:Sculptors from New Jersey

Category:University of the Arts (Philadelphia) alumni

Category:United States Mint engravers

Category:21st-century American sculptors

Category:1970 births