In 2015, Dale Sumner took a pivotal step into the art world when he submitted his piece Only the Lonely to the Knoxville Art and Cultural Alliance exhibition. The show was juried by Mark Scala, Chief Curator at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, TN, and featured a range of compelling works from emerging and established artists.

Over four consecutive years, Dale’s evolving body of work has reached collectors, curators, and fellow artists, solidifying his presence in Santa Fe’s vibrant art scene.

In 2016, Dale Sumner unveiled Loving Earl, a 3-D mixed media piece at 1:6 scale created in tribute to Earl Terrell, a beloved member of a small community near Knoxville, TN. The work honored Earl’s life and presence, capturing the spirit of a man remembered for living authentically and “off the grid.”