Born December 17, 1944, and raised in St. Louis, MO, Joy attended Washington University School of Fine Arts in St. Louis.  She pursued professions in fashion at Famous-Barr and later ran her fund-raising business, Joy of Youth.  In the late 1980's opportunity and spirit were right for Joy to return to art.  A 1990 sculpture class reawakened her love for modeling clay into the human form.  With encouragement from her husband, Brian, Joy began the process of becoming a fine artist through formal education, job experience and interpersonal relationships.

     Joy Beckner is inspired by sensuous shapes of skin, bone and muscle.  She models clay into classical forms,  which are then cast into bronze.  She is thrilled to make something move in-the-round bringing smiles, giggles or tears to the eyes of those who see and touch her work.  She first showed in a national competition in 1996.  She has shown at the National Academy Museum, the National Sculpture Society and was juried into the 1999 National Tour of the Society of Animal Artists.  Her bronze dachshunds have earned numerous awards, including four Best-in-Shows.  Sponsors of the Art Show at the Dog Show purchased one for the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. 

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