Joy Kroeger Beckner has had a love of art since childhood and is inspired by the sensuous shapes of skin, bone and muscle in human and animal forms. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, and trainee at Washington University School of Fine Arts, she first worked in fashion, then fund-raising, and returned to art and sculpture in about 1990 when a sculpture class reawakened her love for modeling clay. She is thrilled to make something move in-the-round and to bring memorable experiences, from giggles to tears, to those who view her finished creations. Best known for her series of dachshunds, Joy has earned international recognition and over 100 awards portraying these endearing animals. Her work is collected by individuals, museums and corporations including the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog; Fountain Hills Cultural & Civic Center; The Library of Hattiesburg; and the Dunnegan Gallery of Art.