LeRoy Transfield: Mormon Sculptor

LeRoy Transfield is a sculptor who gained national and international attention for his work in 2017. His designs, “Soldier’s Charge” and “Poppies in the Wire,” were unanimously selected as the winning design for the front and back of the 2018 World War I American Veterans Centennial silver dollar. The U.S. Mint will strike 400,000 silver coins emblazoned with his designs. He had two uncles who served in WWI as members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Native Contingent. Revenue from the sales of the commemorative coin will go to the nonprofit U.S. Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars. The organization plans to put the funds toward the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C.

In June 2017, Transfield delivered his commissioned bust of former apostle Matthew Cowley to the Matthew Cowley Pacific Church History Centre. Cowley spent almost twelve years in missionary service in New Zealand. Transfield also created a relief sculpture of Jesus Christ and the Apostles that is displayed over the entrance to the Newport Beach California Temple.

Transfield was born in New Zealand and is of Maori and European heritage. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. After his graduation he taught sculpture and then opened a studio in Utah, where he lives with his wife, Kelly, and children. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.