Sarah Hempel Irani is a figurative sculptor with over two decades of experience, specializing in the creation of expressive figures in clay, bronze, and stone. Originally hailing from Michigan, Sarah's artistic journey led her to Maryland, where she embarked on an apprenticeship with the former artist-in-residence at the Washington National Cathedral.

Sarah recently returned from a month-long artist residency at Château d’Orquevaux in the Grand Est region of France. There, she was able to fully focus on art-making without distraction. She explored different materials and responded artistically to this new environment. She photographed her small sculptures in the village on on the grounds of the Château to create an illusion of monumentality. The finished work was a combination of preparatory drawings, small sculptures, and printed photographs.

In 2021, Sarah installed a 7’6” bronze monument to fashion icon Claire McCardell in Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick, Maryland. Previously, commissioned by Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac, Maryland, she created two large Carrara marble sculptures. Sarah sculpted clay models in her studio, sent plaster casts to Italy for stone carving per Renaissance tradition, and installed the two-ton sculptures in the church's sanctuary.

Sarah earned an MA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from Hood College Graduate School. She 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 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. Her sculptures have been celebrated for their expressive and emotive qualities, capturing the essence of the human spirit. 

Outside of her artistic pursuits, Sarah enjoys a fulfilling life with her husband, daughter, and their border collie, Tom Sawyer, near Washington, D.C. When she’s not in the studio, Sarah can be found tending her garden, day dreaming about Paris, whipping up a fabulous feast, or listening to opera.