SUMMARY:
Max Greiner, Jr. is considered a “Renaissance Man” by many. He is an American Artist/Architect/Designer/Archer/Evangelist with professional experience in the fields of art, architecture, landscape architecture, graphic design, photography, writing, advertising, public relations, education and motivational speaking.
Greiner professional work includes drawings, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, graphic design, photography, architecture, landscape architecture. His original, copyrighted and trademarked art is collected in all 50 states and about 100 countries. Examples of Max's creativity can be found in prestigious private, corporate and institutional collections across the world. His artwork has been owned by Presidents, Popes, Governors, Senators, Representatives and the stars of business, music, film, sports and religion. Greiner monumental sculptures can be found in the USA, Israel, Canada and South Korea. His original fine art is on display at major corporations, churches, universities and seminaries across the world.
Greiner first became internationally recognized for his acclaimed life-size bronze sculpture of Jesus washing the feet of Peter (John 13) entitled “Divine Servant”® . The historically unique, poignant bronze sculpture was created in 1990 and issued as a “Signed & Numbered Edition”. Many consider this statue to be Greiner’s Masterpiece, one of the greatest sculptures of all time according to some professionals.
Greiner’s largest and most expensive sculpture is “The Empty Cross"™, a 77’7” tall, Cor-ten steel, open cross symbolizing the Resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28:6). The historically unique contemporary monument was erected on July 27, 2010, at The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in the Texas Hill Country town of Kerrville. Providentially, the reddish-brown cross is at the same latitude as Israel, approximately halfway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on IH-10. Many believe “God marked the spot” when the paths of the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses intersected at one place on earth - over the top of “The Empty Cross"™ .
Dedicated Christians, Max and Sherry Greiner were married in 1975. They donated the massive contemporary cross and his other monumental bronze sculptures to The Coming King Foundation (TCKF). This is the non-profit (501c3) “Art Museum” was founded by the Greiners in 2004 to honor Jesus Christ. By the grace of God, the Greiners are the largest donors of art, volunteer time and financial resources to the non-profit organization. The artist credits God for his talents and accomplishments.
BIRTH: December 16, 1951, Warner Robins, GA., Air Force Base.
PARENTS: Max & Bobbie Greiner
SIBLINGS: Carol, Mark & Michael
FAMILY:
Max and Sherry were married on August 16, 1975, in Woodville, TX. High school sweethearts, the couple designed their unique outdoor wedding, “origami” invitation, free-form gold rings and “kitsch” art wedding cake topped (with 20 arrow shafts, four real raccoon legs and a plastic buck and doe.) Following the creative art/archery wedding (which was covered by four Texas newspapers) the couple went on a three-week honeymoon backpacking and bowhunting for elk in the Colorado wilderness. The couple have one daughter and three granddaughters.
RELIGION:
Christian, “Born Again” and “Water Baptized” (age 7) at Calder Baptist Church, Beaumont, TX, September 1959; “Baptized In The Holy Spirit” (age 37) July 1989, Atlanta, GA; Spiritual Mentors: Jim Beard, Douglas Van Howd, Bill Banks, John Wimber and Dr. Robby Carpenter.
HOBBIES:
Archery, art, taxidermy, photography, writing, backpacking, canoeing and camping. In the seventies and eighties, the avid bowhunter harvested with a bow and arrow: White-tailed Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Barren-ground Caribou, Pronghorn Antelope, Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Wild Boar, Rio Grand Wild Turkey and huge Alligator Garfish.
EDUCATION:
Sally Curtis Grade School (1-2 grades) Beaumont, TX; Sam Houston Grade School (3-6) Port Arthur, TX; Thomas Edison Junior High School (7-9 grades) Port Arthur, TX; Thomas Jefferson High School, (10-12 grades) Port Arthur, TX; Texas A&M University (TAMU) College Station, TX, College of Architecture, Bachelor of Environmental Design – Class of 1974.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Numerous Scouting, Archery & Art Awards over lifetime: Senior Patrol Leader - Boy Scout Troop 84, Port Arthur, TX; Eagle Scout (June 26, 1966) age 16, two Palms, “Order of the Arrow”; Philmont National Scout Ranch (1966), XII World Jamboree (1967) - First newspaper article on Max’s bowfishing exploits published in the Port Arthur News (April 1969) age 16 - First article published in a national magazine: “Bow & Arrow” (September 1970) age 17, entitled “The Gargantuan Gar” - Lettered in ART, Editor of literary art & poetry publication “Ebbtide” at Thomas Jefferson High School (1970) age 17 – The first Associated Press story on Max’s art was published (November 13, 1972) on front pages of newspapers across America at age 20. Story was picked up from TAMU “Battalion” student newspaper – First story in Los Angeles Times (1976) age 24. Full-page story on “Bowhunting in America”. - Youngest Bowhunting Editor of “Texas Trophy Hunters Hotline” magazine (1976) age 24 - Front cover article on Greiner art appeared in TAMU Former Students Association magazine: “Texas Aggie” (March 1980) age 28 - First secular TV news story on Greiner art: “Divine Servant”® life-size bronze sculpture, NBC/KXTA-36 Austin, TX (December 10, 1990) age 38 - First article in a national Christian art magazine entitled “The Call” In His Glory (1992) age 40 – First public bronze sculpture installed at the TAMU Former Students Association offices in College Station, TX. One half life-size bronze bust entitled “The 12th Man - E. King Gill” (1992) age 40, art donated by the artist’s parents - First book published about the garden vision (2020) age 68, “The Garden/Art Of Faith”- The 14-year Documented History (490 pages) - First sculpture monument by a Gentile artist placed in Israel. Endorsed by the Knesset and President of the Jewish nation. The “Lion Of Judah”TM (larger than life) bronze statue was installed in Bloomfield Park, Jerusalem (May 5, 2020) with Mount Zion in background; Publicly dedicated by Jewish and Christian officials (June 1, 2022) age 70 - During TAMU 50th Anniversary Celebration (2024) of the College of Architecture in College Station, TX, Greiner (age 72) was one of three former students invited to speak to the graduating architects and faculty – First monumental sculpture of Jesus Christ placed on public property in Washington, DC (two blocks from the Capitol) in front of the historic Pentecostal church, DC360. The #62 life-size “Divine Servant”® bronze was installed on May 9, 2025 (age 73) - The “Hill Country Flood Memorial Wall” at The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden was designed by TCKF founder and Chairman (2025) age 74 to honor the victims, first responders and volunteers of the tragic July 4, 2025, flash flood on the Guadalupe River - Greiner (age 74) was inducted into the “Hall Of Fame” (January of 2026) at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur, TX. The museum honors noted individuals who lived in the coastal region between New Orleans and Houston. Famous inductees from the world of art, sports, music, film, dance and business include Robert Rauschenberg, Jimmy Johnson, “Bum” Phillips, “Babe” Zaharias, “Tex” Ritter, George Jones, and Janice Joplin among others.
EMPLOYMENT:
ART 1978 – Present, Self-employed) First studio established in the spring of 1978 near Woodville, TX on the Greiner family 116-acre property. The second and current studio was established July 4, 1981 on 126-acres near Kerrville, TX. Max Greiner, Jr. Designs, LLC formed on August 8, 2023.
ADVERTISING (1976 –1978) Valencia, CA. Employed by Jennings Compound Bow, Inc., the third largest archery company in the world at the time. Hired as Graphic Designer, promoted to National Advertising & Promotion Director at age 26. Tested archery equipment, developed advertising campaigns, color catalogs, packaging, brochures, magazine ads and trade show exhibits. During this period Greiner also served as the “Bowhunting Editor” for the Texas Trophy Hunters Association and was invited to join the NFAA Bowhunting Committee.
ARCHITECTURE (1974–1976) Dallas, TX. Employed by Architects Partnership, Inc. immediately after college. The firm was founded by David and Reagan George. David studied under world-famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Primary responsibilities: architectural design and production. (Max never sought official AIA Registration due to his decision to pursue a full-time fine art career.)
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:
THE COMING KING FOUNDATION (TCKF) - Established by Max (age 52) & Sherry (May 6, 2004). Seven Christians served as original Trustees of the non-profit, evangelistic art organization. Max was President for the first 16 years and designed the entire 24.5-acre spiritual art theme park. Currently, Max is Chairman of the Board, Sherry is a Trustee. The (501c3) “Art Museum” promotes free evangelistic art parks across the USA and world, to bring glory and souls to Jesus Christ. Over one million people have visited The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, TX since July 27, 2010, when “The Empty Cross”™ was erected. The “prototype” art park is located on IH-10, north of Kerrville. Designated by Trip Advisor as being in the top 10% of all tourist attractions worldwide, the free park attracts between 107,000 and 172,000 visitors per year from around the world. Thousands of guests report God encounters and genuine miracles, signs and wonders (Hebrews 2:3). This “type” of last days Tabernacle (Amos 9:11) has been a major financial boon to the small Hill Country community (24,000 population) located on the Guadalupe River since the unique 77’7”, modern art cross sculpture was raised.
NATIONAL BOWHUNTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION (NBEF) - (1979–1989) One of eight founders with Chairman, William H. Wadsworth, who created the six-hour national hunter safety course for archers. Max served as original Vice President and then President of the non-profit conservation organization which teaches archery ethics and safety around the world. Thousands of “Certified Bowhunting Instructors” were trained under Greiner (age 27). Served with 21 volunteer Directors in the development, administration and implementation of the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP). The archery ethics program was recognized and certified by all 50 state wildlife agencies across the USA and implemented in other countries. One of the original authors of the course curriculum. Greiner established the “Ishi” Art Project and later the “Pope & Young” Art Project, which raised about $200,000 for hunter education in 1985 and 1986.
AMERICAN WILDLIFE EDUCATION FOUNDATION (AWEF) (1979 –1982) Chairman, founder and graphic artist. Non-profit (501c3) educational organization created graphic education programs for American public-school systems to teach basic scientific wildlife management concepts to children. Greiner recruited a nationwide team of 21 experts - PhD degree wildlife biologists and educators who developed the interactive graphic education program.
NATIONAL FIELD ARCHERY ASSOCIATION (NFAA) (NFAA) - (1976 –1979) Chairman of the Public Relations Committee, Bowhunting & Conservation Division. Greiner (age 24) served as the youngest member of the “select” eight-man national committee for the promotion of archery and bowhunting across the United States. This group ultimately birthed NBEF and AWEF.
LONE STAR BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION (LSBA) (LSBA) - (1974 –1976) First Vice President, Public Relations and Legislative Chairman. Served as one of the original founders (age 22). “Life Member”, designed and authored all original documents, Bylaws, literature, logo and initial publicity. Led the first Board Meeting in Austin, TX. Personally proposed the “Archery Stamp” to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in Austin, TX, officially representing TFAA and LSBA. This proposal was later passed into law in 1975.
TEXAS FIELD ARCHERY ASSOCIATION (TFAA) (1974 –1976) Youngest Bowhunting Vice President of the state archery association. Administered statewide bowhunting activities and policies. Max (age 22) served as the Committee Chairman of the delegation which formed the LSBA in 1975. This group birthed the LSBA.
INTERNATIONAL BOWHUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM (IBEP) (1974 –1978) First State Chairman of Texas (age 22) & later (age 23) in California (1976 -1978). First established and administered the program in Texas (1974–1976). Recruited and trained volunteer Certified IBEP Instructors. Texas and California were the very first programs established in the nation following New York to implement the standardized bowhunter education course. The six hour course was eventually implemented in all 50 states and around the world.
BRAZOS BOWMAN ARCHERY CLUB (1970 – 1974) Editor, Vice President and President (age 18-22) of the Bryan/College Station/Texas A&M University archery club. In the spring of 1974, Max led a 100-mile weeklong wilderness canoe expedition through the canyons of the Rio Grande starting at the Big Bend Park with a dozen Texas Aggies.
THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL TAXIDERMY CLASS (1970) – During Max’s Senior year he taught a weekly class on the “Art of Taxidermy” to students and faculty after school. Max learned taxidermy in 1959 (age 8) by taking a mail-order correspondence course.
THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL ARCHERY CLUB (1969 – 1970) President and founder (age 17-18) of student archery club, Port Arthur, TX. (Max’s future wife, Sherry was a member of the club.)
MEMBERSHIPS – Numerous archery clubs & associations over the years. As a Christian evangelist, Max is currently a member of National Religious Broadcasters Association (since 1992) - Washington, DC.
|