2024 MCA Club Medal
The Medal Collectors of America (MCA) has released its 2024 club medal, “The Collectors’ Garden.” Designed by Louisa Sanders, the 3-inch bronze medal draws parallels between bees and medal collectors. “The bee is a collector of pollen, as well as the producer of honey,” says Sanders. “Without the bees’ contribution to the garden, many flowers would not blossom, and fruit would not grow. There exists a determined and inevitable symbiosis,” says Sanders.
The obverse depicts several bees collecting pollen from a variety of elegant flowers. Sanders chose each of the flowers because of their meaning in Victorian floriography. For example, zinnias symbolize everlasting friendship, apple blossoms indicate preference, daisy references youth, pansy means “you occupy my thoughts,” and so on. Sanders says, “Combined, these flowers create a bouquet that indicates friendship and new beginnings.”
The reverse depicts a noble bee in the honeycomb matrix of her hive with the inscription MEDAL COLLECTORS OF AMERICA 2024 encircled by a bough of apple blossoms. “I feel that this iconography represents the medal collectors and some of their contributions to the field of medallic art by way of both preservation and enabling new growth,” says Sanders.
“The Collectors’ Garden” is limited to 50 issues. MCA members may purchase the piece for $200 at MCA’s website.
About the Artist
Louisa Sanders earned a bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2002. She has taught glassworking and foundry arts at The Crucible in Oakland, California, for 18 years. Additionally, she is a certified foreman electrician and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. She is pursuing a master’s degree from Alfred University in New York. Her art practice utilizes a variety of processes and materials, including bronze and glass casting, bas relief, medallic sculpture, bell making, glass blowing, neon, and more. She implements symbolism, social practice, philosophy, and fun into her art. She intends to continue teaching sculpture and making her own artwork after earning her graduate degree.