Joseph Menna - 13th Chief Engraver

Hemispherical

Joe Menna is humbled by his being named the 13th chief engraver of the United States Mint, an assignment he’s not taking lightly.

“It’s only been a week and it fits like a glove,” Menna told Coin World in a Feb. 6 telephone interview.

“I know a lot of people who have understood the historical perspective of what the chief engraver should be,” the 49-year-old Menna continued. “I hope I’m worthy of that.”
https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/2019/02/menna-humbled-by-naming-as-chief-mint-engraver.all.html

Designs and Credits:
https://www.usmint.gov/learn/artists/sculptors-joseph-menna

Zoins

Congrats to Joe!

He's a modern, digital sculptor.

Menna joined the Mint in 2005, and he brings 32 years of professional experience and classical training to the position. He was the first full-time digitally skilled artist hired by the United States Mint. Menna was instrumental in the development of the United States Mint’s first digitally sculpted coins and continues to distinguish himself as a leader in this constantly evolving craft.

More on CoinWeek and YouTube:

https://coinweek.com/us-mint-news/joseph-menna-named-chief-engraver-of-united-states-mint/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GonXd_nXwo

Here's one of his designs where he signs as JFM:

Zoins

From the CoinWorld article it’s nice to know the design and engraving units work together as a “cohesive unit”.

Now that he, as chief engraver, serves in the capacity of art director, Menna said he will provide artistic approval of designs, with final technical approval still rendered by Ron Harrigal, manager of the U.S. Mint’s design and engraving division.

Menna said he will be keeping up on the development of design and sculpting software, which changes regularly.

The sculptor-engravers and product design specialists are not afraid to share their design knowledge. Menna said the engraving unit and its ancillary components function as one cohesive unit, much like a family.

He said he knew Kushwara before joining the Mint and has known Gaudioso for more than 30 years, having trained artistically together both in the United States and Russia.

Nysoto

Outstanding! joe Menna's designs are magnificent, he has great passion for his art.

Excellent Classical education in sculpture:

"Menna holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture from the University of the Arts, a master of fine arts degree in sculpture from the New York Academy of Art, with post-graduate study at the Saint Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Menna’s continuing professional education includes studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, the Sculpture Center, and the Art Students League."

Hemispherical

Joe Menna’s fusion of being classically trained, comics, and current technology will be an interesting sight to see for the future of the US Mint.

“By day, Joe Menna designs and sculpts coins for the US Mint. But by night, he has a secret identity: as one of the leading sculptors of collectibles for companies like DC Direct, McFarlane Toys, Dark Horse Comics and Hasbro, using ZBrush and Modo to produce digital sculpts ready for manufacturing. He has worked on collectible versions of some of the world’s best known characters, from Batman to the Ghostbusters franchise. Classically trained in sculpture and drawing, he has also recently been getting back into digital 2D art and illustration, as he told ArtStation in the exclusive interview below.”

https://magazine.artstation.com/2014/01/concept-sculptor-joe-menna/

CaptHenway

How is he with a hammer and a letter punch?

Zoins

@CaptHenway said:
How is he with a hammer and a letter punch?

I've never seen a re-punched date or letter from him!

Paradisefound

He brings fresh artsy approach to the old ways and at his young age at the job ...... we'll see how design would evolve over the next decades Congrats JFM ..... lets bring on the happy with a classic twist

Zoins

Here are his websites:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jfmenna
• ArtistNation: https://www.artstation.com/jmenna

Paradisefound

This is my FAV

Hemispherical

@Zoins said:
Here are his websites:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jfmenna
• ArtistNation: https://www.artstation.com/jmenna

He is a prolific artist and good to see he has interest in many different platforms.

@Paradisefound said:
This is my FAV

That is nice. Love the futuristic flail!