Ivanka mincheva was born in 1948 in Bulgaria. She studied for six years and received her Degree in Sculpture and Ceramics in 1974 from the prestigious Nikolai Pavlovich Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia, as a student of Prof. Boris Gondov.

Following her graduation, she participated in over thirty national exhibitions, both with sculptures and portraits. On commission from the government, she completed and raised four monumental works commemorating important moments of national history.

She reached international recognition within the last twenty years after beginning to work in medal art and small relief. Since her first one-man show in 1983 in Sofia until the latest shows in Hampton in 2006, Mincheva's medals have been displayed in museums and galleries all over the world: Hungary, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Italy, England, Germany, Finland, United Arab Emirates, etc.

Ivanka Mincheva's medals have been purchased and permanently displayed in the British Museum in London, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. Her works are owned and displayed in the Bulgarian National Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art in Sofia, Bulgaria; the Museum of Medals in Hungary; the Museum of Humor in Gabrovo, Bulgaria; the Museum of Medals in Slovakia, the Charles H. Taylor Art Center in Hampton, VA, and in many other museums all over the world.

Ivanka Mincheva has fulfilled many commissions for cast and struck medals, badges, statuettes and award plaques, which were presented to distinguished athletes, scientists, politicians and businessmen. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of all European countries, who attended The Environmental Conference in Sofia in 1989, received her medals. She created the awards presented annually by the Eureka Foundation in Bulgaria for "Best Manager", "Best Farmer" and "Best Inventor". She created the Gold, Silver and Bronze Cup for the European Basketball Championship; the medals for the Meeting of the Sports Ministers of Europe; the Gaston Plante Medal for the Bulgarian Academy of Science.

Hundreds of private collectors all over the world own Mincheva's medals. Her fondest memory is from the honor of presenting her award to the world famous soccer player Hristo Stoichkov upon his election for Athlete of the Year in 1996.

Mincheva has never limited herself to just medal art. She creates sculptural reliefs, jewelry and ceramics: each piece artistically unique and one-of-a-kind, incorporating a variety of media such as plaster, porcelain, shells, melted glass, etc.

Ivanka Mincheva is a member of FIDEM and AMSA. Since 1993 she is a resident of Virginia.

Ivanka Mincheva and Bulgarian soccer player Hristo Stoichkov - one of many stars, honored with her medals.