A Mississippi sculptor dedicated to enhancing life through the power of art, Earl Dismuke graduated in 2007 from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, emphasizing sculpture. Born and raised in Winona, Mississippi on a cattle farm, he now works out of his studio in Oxford, Mississippi where he lives with his wife and four children.

A co-founder of the Yokna Sculpture Trail, a bi-annual rotating outdoor sculpture exhibition, he is a recipient of the 2019 Mississippi Arts Commission Visual Arts Fellowship Grant and a member of the International Sculpture Center. His work has been featured in several international and national exhibitions, including, but not limited to, the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition in New Orleans, LA; The Atlanta BeltLine in Atlanta, GA; The Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition in Rosemary Beach, FL; The Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs, MS; The Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, MS; Scope Basel in Basel, Switzerland; and Lima, Peru. His work is also included in several gallery and museum shows, as well as private collections.

An ambassador for public art, he spearheaded and managed several mural projects throughout the state of Mississippi, collaborating with world-renowned artists to bring new and exciting art to Mississippians. He also serves on the board of his local museum.

Artist Statement :

At the heart of Earl Dismuke’s practice lies a belief in the transformative power of abstraction. In his work—whether sculpted from found objects or meticulously fabricated in steel—he invites viewers into a space where interpretation is fluid and personal. The magic of abstract art, Earl believes, is not found in clarity of meaning, but in its openness: when viewers are able to bring their own story, memory, or emotion into the work, the piece becomes more than material—it becomes a mirror.

Rather than prescribing a narrative, Earl’s sculptures offer ambiguity that encourages curiosity. Viewers may not know exactly what the artist was thinking in the moment of creation, and that mystery becomes the gift. It allows the work to evolve with each encounter, shaped as much by the viewer’s experience as by the artist’s intent.