 New Exhibit by Pastel Artist Sherry Earl on Display at the North Dakota State Capitol
BISMARCK, ND - North Dakota Council on the Arts is showcasing a collection of soft pastels on paper by North Dakota artist Sherry Earl on the 18th floor (observatory level) of the ND State Capitol. This exhibition, featuring 29 artworks, is open to the public through April 2026.
The exhibit showcases Earl’s mastery of soft pastels in works such as Pretty in Pink, Winter Sunset, Buffalo in Winter, and selections from her Orphan Train Series. Each piece reflects her commitment to realism and her passion for creating beauty from observation.
Earl describes her artistic journey as one that began early in life. “From the first strokes of a crayon in childhood, my path as an artist was set,” she shares. Entirely self-taught, Earl has spent years refining her eye and hand, developing what she calls “a deep, personal connection to the art of realism.” Her chosen medium, soft pastel, offers what she considers “a perfect marriage of vibrant color and delicate powdered blending,” allowing her to build luminous layers that breathe life into her work.
Earl earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work from Boise State University in 2005 and worked as a licensed social worker in Idaho before she moved to North Dakota in 2015, which marked a turning point. “Since relocating to the Midwest, I am able to pursue art full time,” she explains. This transition gave her the freedom to immerse herself in her craft and explore the possibilities of pastel art without constraint.
For Earl, the process is as meaningful as the finished piece. “The journey of a self-taught artist is one of constant discovery, and this joy fills my heart and fuels my work,” she says. Her aspiration is simple yet profound: “I want the viewer to feel their presence in my landscapes, see the beauty of the subject, and forget for a moment that they are looking at powdered pigment on paper created by a human hand.”
The exhibition is open during regular Capitol Complex business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors should use the public entrance on the south side of the Capitol.
Also on View:
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Photography by Ekow Ephrim is featured in the spaces connecting the Governor’s Staff Offices on the ground floor of the Capitol. This selection of 13 photographs, some incorporating digital manipulation, reflects Ephrim’s exploration of fleeting social encounters and emotional connections. |
Ephrim, an Assistant Professor of Art at Valley City State University, holds a B.A. in Graphic Design from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, and an MFA in Studio Art from Indiana University, Bloomington. His work spans digital art, photography, printmaking, and graphic design, and has been exhibited across North Dakota and beyond.
Members of the public are welcome. Please stop into the Governor's Office on the first floor to request a viewing.
To learn more, including a list of current and past featured artists, visit NDCA's Featured Artists at the Capitol webpage.
North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support, development, and preservation of the arts throughout North Dakota and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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For More Information Contact:
Rhea Beto | 701.328.7594 | rbeto@nd.gov
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