American Artist Appreciation Month Series
Every piece of chocolate Henry Zunino creates begins in the studio—not the kitchen—with an artist’s eye and a sculptor’s hand. As the founder of Strawberry Hill Grand Delights in Waltham, Massachusetts, Zunino blends fine art and confectionery to craft museum-quality chocolate bars inspired by everything from Van Gogh’s portraits to nautical creatures and spaceships.
His work transforms beloved artworks into edible masterpieces available at the MFA Boston Shop, such as the popular Van Gogh Postman Chocolate Bars made of rich, velvety dark chocolate.
In honor of American Artist Appreciation Month, we connected with Zunino to talk about his creative journey from sculptor to chocolatier. Read on to learn how he went from shaping clay as a kid to designing collectible treats you can find at the MFA Boston Shop.
Museum Store Sunday (MSS): Hi Henry! It’s nice to meet you. Can you tell us about yourself and your journey as an artist?
Henry Zunino (HZ): I’m Henry Zunino, founder of Strawberry Hill Grand Delights. My company specializes in manufacturing candy and chocolate souvenirs for the gift and hospitality industry.
I create the original carvings and then the production molds to create both 2D and 3D hard candy lollipops, gummies, and chocolates. The themes range from nautical creatures to spaceships and everything in the middle.
MSS: Who inspired you to become an artist?
HZ: To answer the question, I need to go a bit back in time (I’m now 47). My passion for sculpting started when I was about 10 years old. One day, my mom gifted me a set of multi-colored modeling clays. As I started playing with it while watching Disney’s DuckTales back in 1987, I began to recreate the cartoon characters as 3D colored models. I still have them, by the way.
When my mom came in to check on me, she asked me who had given me these cute Disney toys. To her surprise, I had made them. My parents encouraged my sculpting talent and overall scholastic achievements. By the time I graduated high school, I was offered a full scholarship to Mass Art, but my parents advised against pursuing the arts as a full-time career, opting instead for studying biology.
Once I achieved my degree in biology, I decided that I would try and make a career in the arts.
For 9 years, I worked as a sculptor creating models for everything from bronze architectural elements to commemorative bronze plaques. There is one in Terminal E at Logan Airport commemorating the invention of Radio.
I also made prototypes for toys, medallions, pewter collectible statues, sport trophies, and more. The economic downturn following the 2008 financial crisis was a big challenge and forced me to look for a different medium to work with. Bronze and pewter were way too expensive to produce.
In 2009, I founded my candy company to produce affordable confectionery souvenirs. I have to say my bronze works always resembled chocolate, as I used a dark brown patina.
MSS: Speaking of the confectionary souvenirs you create, tell us about your Van Gogh Postman Chocolate Bars.
HZ: The bars are a 2D bas relief measuring 4″x 5″ made with 54% dark Belgian chocolate. The chocolate bars’ fine details are highlighted with edible gold luster, which looks exactly as if I had made them out of bronze.
Van Gogh Postman Chocolate Bar by Henry Zunino
The idea came about as a way to expand on the already successful sales of my hard candy lollipop designs at the MFA Boston Shop.
MSS: How do you make the Van Gogh Postman Chocolate Bars? What materials do you use? Walk us through the process.
HZ: I made the bass relief the exact same way as if I were going to cast it in bronze. Using oil-based modeling clay and my favorite wooden carving tool, which I have been using for over 30 years, I first sketch out on a thin sheet of clay where the design will be located. Then it’s just a matter of patience and good eyesight as the different layers of depth are created, giving the item a feel as if the Postman is about to step out of the chair and walk off.
Van Gogh Postman Wax Before (Left) and After (Right) by Henry Zunino
Once the carving is completed, food-grade silicone molds are cast from it. The chocolates are cast from these (sanitizing process completed prior) and hand-decorated with the edible gold luster.
MSS: What do customers love most about your chocolate bars?
HZ: I think customers are attracted by the novelty of the item, as I do not know of any other rendition in chocolate of this particular Van Gogh work.
MSS: Why is it important for shoppers to support local artists?
HZ: I would say supporting artists, whether local or not, is a great way to ensure that creativity is encouraged and appreciated. Also, these are businesses that, in the end, create jobs for the communities they are in.
MSS: Tell us about your relationship with the MFA Boston Shop, where your chocolate bars are sold to museum-goers.
HZ: I have to start by saying I love the MFA—it’s truly a gem for the city of Boston. I have been enjoying visiting it since 1995, when I went there for the first time.
The fact that I get to work with the shop is really a pleasure. We worked on the Hokusai candies last year, which came out so cute, especially the Wave.
The head buyer, Ellen Bragalone, is very easy to work with and open to creating new items. The fact that the shop is still owned and operated by the museum itself is very important to me. It is becoming a rarity as large national companies have been gobbling up these independent shops and making it difficult to do business with them.
MSS: Where can people follow you on your journey as an artist?
HZ: They can follow me on Instagram (@strawberryhillgrand).
Support Local Artists Like Henry Zunino in Your Community
Looking for a meaningful way to support local artists and makers? Start at your nearest museum store. From handcrafted jewelry and chocolate bars to books, toys, and wearables you can’t find anywhere else, every item tells a story while sustaining creativity in your community.
Your purchase is more than a souvenir. It’s a gift that strengthens local economies, funds museum programs you care about, and keeps cultural spaces alive and accessible for all to enjoy.
Want to shop with purpose all year long? Use our store locator to find museum stores near you.
And don’t forget to save the date for Museum Store Sunday, returning on November 30, 2025. Stay tuned for one-of-a-kind finds, limited-edition gifts, artist pop-ups, and more just in time for the holidays.