Jamie Franki

Jamie Franki is a tenured associate professor in the College of Arts + Architecture, where he coordinates the Illustration program and serves as associate chair of the Department of Art + Art History. Franki received his Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from Syracuse University and has been teaching art full-time on the college and university level since 1988. He maintains an artistic practice in exhibition, medallic design/relief sculpture and visual communication. Greatly influenced by the artists of the Golden Age of American illustration, Franki strives to create narrative artwork that is rich in detail, expression and accessibility to a wide range of people. He is currently a designer in the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program. In 2005, his American Bison Nickel reverse design was selected for a six-month minting. This nckel was awarded a “COTY” (Coin of the Year Award) as the Most Popular World Coin of 2005. In January 2006, his Jefferson 1800 Nickel obverse design began its long-term run on America’s new and historic forward-facing circulating coin. In 2008, Franki designed the Order of IKKOS Medallion, the U.S. Olympic Committee’s perpetual honor society award for Team USA coaches. He is a member of the American Medallic Sculpture Association and the American Numismatic Association, for which he has designed and sculpted numerous medals for World’s Fair of Money and National Money Show conventions.

His artwork has been exhibited in numerous venues, including the Society of Illustrators’ Museum of American Illustration in New York City; the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts; the San Francisco Art Directors’ Club; and the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame. Selected clients of Franki’s artwork include the United States Mint, the United States Olympic Committee, the American Numismatic Association, the Jewish-American Hall of Fame, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, the Kenan Football Hall of Fame in Chapel Hill, WFAE/NPR Charlotte, the N.C. State University Football Hall of Fame, the U.S. Home Corporation, InBusiness Magazine, BioCycle Magazine and Stock Car Racing Magazine.