Obituary of Thomas N. Sternal

Tom Sternal, a prolific and peripatetic sculptor, furniture maker and educator, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. He was 71 years old. Sternal was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. As a young boy he quickly gravitated to art, becoming a talented, motivated artist, taking classes at the Minneapolis Art Institute and later graduating with a BA in Art from the University of Minnesota in 1965. He was admitted to the graduate Art program at the University of Montana, earning an MA in 1966 and an MFA in 1967. His first teaching position was as an assistant Professor of Art at Arkansas State University. He quickly earned a tenure-track position at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. It was there where Sternal began to make his mark. His first solo exhibition in 1972 featured more than a 100 pieces of work, priced moderately to attract the attention and support of the local community. He was soon discovered by the prominent art collectors, Philip and Muriel Berman. His relationship with the Bermans brought about a particularly robust period of work. His large, monumental indoor and outdoor sculptures were bought and placed around the world at many art centers, museums, colleges and universities. While earning tenure at Muhlenberg, Sternal was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach and lecture in Seoul, Korea, and as an artist and lecturer in residence through The Royal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway. In 1980, Sternal became the chairman of the art department at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, quickly earning tenure and continuing to create and place large outdoor sculpture pieces around the country. He left in 1984 to become the chairman of the art department at Morehead State in Morehead, Kentucky. His administrative responsibilities grew with the much larger department. Even as he continued creating art, he curated the Universitys Claypool-Young Art Gallery and eventually founded the KY Folk Art Center as a means of providing much-needed support and visibility for under-appreciated Appalachian folk artists. In 1996, Sternal relocated to Todd, NC. After a brief stay at Appalachian State University, he founded the Elkland Art Center with his wife and co-collaborator, Martha Enzmann. Together they became fixtures of the community, bringing energy and vision to the area. Their time together in Todd was a period of community engagement, encouraging and developing the artistic interests of local residents. He leaves behind a legacy of teaching and inspiring a love of art, having launched and shaped the careers of many artists. His own artistic vision was shaped by an eccentric and diverse mixture of art, from Harry Bertoia to George Nakashima to Frederic Remington, from the craft traditions of Norway, Korea, Appalachia, from the natural environment. Yet, his work was unfinished, energized to the very end, filled with ideas, visions and curiosity. Tom Sternal is survived by his wife, Martha Enzmann, his first wife, Ann Sternal, his two children, Julie Sternal of Cambridge, WI, Tom (Becky) of Ghent, NY, three grandchildren, Tessa Sternal, Finn Sternal and Christophe Hughes; his sister Janice Sternal of New Port Richie, FL, brother Stan (Judy) Sternal of Shoreview, MN. Services will be held on Friday, February 20th at 3 PM at Blackburns Chapel, 3986 Todd Railroad Grade Road, Todd, NC. A reception will follow at Elkland School 10279. Memorial donations may be made to Elkland Art Center, 10279 Three Top Road, Todd, NC 28684, or www.elklandartcenter.org Online condolences may be shared with the Sternal family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Sternal family.