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Joe Muench received his MFA from Washington University, St. Louis, MO, (1987) and a BA in Craft Design from Iowa State University (1984).  He has been actively working in metal for over four decades, and currently focuses on the production of expressive, one of a kind fabricated metal objects and sculpture built with an innovative hybrid working style that unites his research interests in historic/traditional metalsmithing and contemporary industrially based approaches to metalshaping.  

 The resultant artworks have been widely exhibited and are featured in publications including “Chasing and Repousse: Methods Ancient and Modern”; “500 Metal Vessels: Contemporary Explorations of Containment”; “500 Necklaces: Contemporary Interpretations of a Timeless Form”; “The Metalsmith’s Book of Boxes and Lockets”; “Jewelry: Contemporary Design and Technique” and Metalsmith magazine.  

Muench is currently a Professor and head of the jewelry/metalsmithing area in the College of Design at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, where he has taught since 2001.  In addition to his regular teaching, he lectures and presents workshops on metalworking topics at universities and craft programs throughout United States.