Sarah Hempel Irani,
Sarah Hempel Irani has been sculpting expressive figures in clay, bronze, and stone for over twenty years. Originally from Michigan, she moved to Maryland to apprentice with the former artist-in-residence at the Washington National Cathedral.
Sarah recently installed a 7’6” bronze monument to fashion icon, Claire McCardell, in a city park in Frederick, Maryland. Previously, she sculpted two larger-than-life-sized marble saints, now in the sanctuary at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in the Washington, D.C. suburbs.
Sarah has been a visiting artist and speaker at Ave Maria University, Grove City College, Slippery Rock University, Covenant College, the Rotary “Pathways to Peace” Conference, as well as numerous religious and civic organizations. In addition, she has been a guest on the “United Lutheran Seminary Explores”, “Makers & Mystics”, and “Living from the Soul” podcasts. Sarah’s work has been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, Threads, Baltimore Magazine, and several local news stations and magazines.
She lives with her husband, their daughter, and a border collie named Tom Sawyer in a tiny brick house near Washington, DC. When she’s not working in the studio, Sarah is digging in the garden, planning her next travel adventure, or listening to opera.
CREDENTIALS
Board Member Member, ACLS - Association for Consultants for Liturgical Space
Master of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from Hood College Graduate School, Frederick, Maryland
Thesis: “Piero Della Francesca's Misericordia Polyptych: Artist, Patron, and Community” Advisor: Dr. Laurie Taylor-Mitchell
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art with a minor in Classical Studies from Hillsdale College, Hillsdale Michigan
Studied sculpture under master sculptor, Anthony Frudakis
Apprentice to master sculptor, Jay Hall Carpenter
RECENT TALKS
"Building for the Future: The Design of Multi-generational Worship Spaces,”
Sarah was a panelist with ACLS liturgical consultant Gilbert Sunghera, SJ, and architect Paul Barribeau and Dr. Michael Crosbie, PhD, FAIA, in a webinar for the Association of Consultants for Liturgical Space. The panel sought to discuss questions about the next generations. What moves a Millennial? How do we design and adorn worship spaces that speak to younger generations? What are younger people looking for in a worship space? In other words, what can we as artists, architects, and liturgical consultants do to attract young people and help the church grow in the 21st century?
“Women in Sculpture and Women in Sculptures"
Sculptor, Sarah Hempel Irani, shares the story of her journey as a woman in sculpture, from arriving in the nation’s capital as a young artist asking, “Where are all the women sculptors?” and “Where are all the sculptures of real, historical women?” to her work on the Frederick Art Club’s Claire McCardell Project.
“From Dream to Stone”
Sculptor, Sarah Hempel Irani, outlines the many steps that it takes to realize a monumental marble sculpture.
“Peace through Artistic Expression: Shaping a public imagination towards peace through public monuments.”
Sculptor, Sarah Hempel Irani, asks “Can we transform the public imagination by changing our collective visual vocabulary from one of war to one of peace? “ In this talk, Sarah walks us through the vocabulary of public monuments as instruments of conquest and war and how we can shift our consciousness towards peace.
IN THE Press
Learn more about Sarah and Hempel Studios by reviewing or listening to these resources, podcasts, and interviews below.
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CODAMAGAZINE
December 2022
Art As Narrative: Our December issue focuses on design + art projects delivering dynamic, inspirational storytelling that transforms spaces and sends powerful messages.
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THE WASHINGTON POST
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THE FREDERICK NEWS POST
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THREADS Magazine
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LIVING FROM THE SOUL with SAM TORODE Podcast
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BALTIMORE MAGAZINE
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WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY (WWD)
March 31, 2021
American Sportswear Pioneer Claire McCardell to Be Celebrated in Children’s Book, Coloring Book, and Bronze Statue
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MAKERS & MYSTICS Podcast
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The Frederick News Post
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FREDERICK MAGAZINE
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WDMV Local TV Station
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Women's Wear Daily (WWD.com)
September 19, 2019
Claire McCardell Statue, Tribute Planned in Her Hometown: A nationwide effort is under way to create more art and public space sculptures of women and created by women.
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The Frederick News Post
August 7, 2019
Planned statue of renowned Frederick designer could be one of the city’s first female public sculptures
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SEMINARY RIDGE REVIEW (United Lutheran Literary Journal)
Spring 2017
Seminary Ridge Review is a print journal for alumni/ae, students and faculty of United Lutheran Seminary currently published twice yearly.
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THE SEMINARY EXPLORES Podcast
August 1, 2016
Where Michelangelo Stood: Vocation, Incarnation and New Work in an Old Form
Listen Here -
TRIB LIVE (Western Pennsylvania Regional Newspaper)
November 23, 2010
The Third Nationwide Juried Catholic Arts Exhibition at St. Vincent College: Catholic competition creates eclectic exhibit
Read More
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