Sternal received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota earned his MFA in sculpture from the University of Montana. He was the recipient of the Governor’s Award in the Arts, Kentucky and was awarded a Senior Fulbright-Hayes Grant to the republic of South Korea. He has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States His work is included in many private, corporate, and public collections, such as Woodmere Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA; Fairmount Park Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA; Rhoneymeade Sculpture Park, State College, PA; and the Berman Collection, Allentown, PA, and he has participated in various artist-in-residence programs. After an extensive career in sculpture and teaching, his interests are now focused on the creation of sculptural furniture, which include carved sinks, tables, chairs and benches.