Justin Kunz: Mormon Artist
Justin Kunz is a representational artist and assistant professor of illustration at Brigham Young University. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He earned his BFA degree in illustration from BYU and his MFA degree in painting from Laguna College of Art and Design.
He is an inaugural Master Designer in the United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program. He designed the highly anticipated $100 American Liberty 2015 High Relief 24-karat Gold Coin, the 2014 Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Silver Dollar obverse, the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar obverse, and the 2008 Andrew Jackson Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin reverse.
As of September 22, 2015, the $100 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin was selling for $1,540.
Kunz worked in game development studios for more than eleven years, including Disney Interactive and Blizzard Entertainment, where he helped design environments in World of Warcraft expansions from The Burning Crusade to Mists of Pandaria.
His traditional paintings have been included in exhibitions throughout the United States and have received recognitions that include an Award of Merit in the Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition, a Visitor's Choice Award in the Church History Museum's International Art Competition, and a Director's Award at the Springville Museum of Art Spring Salon.
His work is represented by Waterhouse Gallery in Santa Barbara, California, and Deseret Book Flagship Store Fine Art Gallery at City Creek Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. He and his wife, Heidi, live in Utah with their children.
