U.S. Mint selects VCU student to be associate designer

By Malorie Burkett

The United States Mint recently selected Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts student Rebecca L. Armstrong, to participate in a new American coin and medal design program.

Armstrong, 21, a senior in the Communication Arts program, was selected in a national competition to be an associate designer in the United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program - a pool of artists who will be called upon throughout the year to submit designs for selected U.S. coins and medals.

"This is the first time a student, undergraduate or graduate has ever been chosen to help design images for U.S. coins," said James Miller, area head of Communication Arts. "We are pleased that Rebecca's abilities and talent have been recognized in this way."

Only six students and 18 professional artists were selected to participate in the program, which officials say is the first of its kind in the U.S. Mint's 211-year history.

The United States Mint invites participants in the Artistic Infusion Program to submit a coin design from a narrative concept. If a particular design is chosen, the artist may be asked to perfect it. If accepted, the design will make its way through a consultation and evaluation process and if approved, will be made into a coin.

"It is a great honor and complete blessing to have been selected to take part in the Artistic Infusion Program," said Armstrong. "I am very excited to be competing with professionals for the chance to have one of my designs be made into a coin. I am also very proud to be representing VCU in this program."

A resident of Roanoke, Va., Armstrong will graduate from VCU in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

The United States Mint was created in 1792 to produce circulating coins for the nation. Today, the Mint creates popular coins such as the 50 State Quarters(r) Program, the new nickel series, and commemorative coins and congressional medals that honor outstanding individuals and events of special meaning to the American people.