EASTON, Pa. — Celebrating an impressive year of programming that included numerous pieces of installation art and interactive pieces, Karl Stirner Arts Trail is looking to an even bigger and better future.
KSAT Executive Director and Curator Jim Toia on Wednesday gave Easton City Council an update on the trail's operation, and a peek into the future of the path.
The nonprofit operation formed in 2016 to curate artwork and conduct art and community relations programming.
“It's such a special place in the city, and I think it really serves as a connector between the neighborhoods and a safe passageway for bikers, riders and cyclists, and artwork, and everything, too."Easton City Councilwoman Crystal Rose
It now sees 150,000 visitors a year along the 1.75-mile track, which runs from Don Juan’s on North 3rd Street, following the Bushkill Creek, and wrapping up at 13th Street.
“Our mission is to foster opportunities for the community to experience the interconnectedness of art with nature, history and health and wellness in a natural urban environment,” Toia told council.
In his presentation, Toia mentioned some of the ongoing programming at the trail.
They include the Young Masters Wall, the Walk and Talk Series, the Winter Solstice Celebration and the upcoming Artful Dash 5K, which is set for Oct. 12.
Artist residency, Poetry in the Wild
Toia also highlighted the summer 2024 artist residency, which saw an incredible installation piece on the trail.
“In the summer of 2024 we were very happy to welcome world renowned artist Chakaia Booker as our 2024 artist in residence," Toia said.
"And this piece… this monumental sculpture, ‘No More Milk and Cookies,’ which has been viewed in a number of world renowned institutions, including Storm King Art Center in Mountainville, New York.”
Toia gestured to a photo of the 14-and-a-half-feet-high, 29-feet-long and 24-feet-deep structure made of reclaimed rubber tires and wood.
“No More Milk and Cookies" will remain on display at the KSAT for at least another year.
Toia also touched on the progress of Poetry in the Wild, a two-year project that aims to “bring poetry off the page and into public spaces in our physical world.”
“We're presenting the works of established and up-and-coming poets," Toia said.
"And scheduling various events along the KSAT and at partnering community locations like the Easton Farmers Market, Porchfest this coming weekend, Easton Public Market, and more."
This year’s artist in residence for Poetry in the Wild is musician, educator and poet Yolanda Wisher, who was Poet Laureate of Philadelphia for 2016 and 2017.
She now is chairwoman for the Philadelphia Poet Laureate governing committee.
“Yolanda will be performing a blend of poetry along the trail on October 5, so I hope you can join us then with her band, Yolanda Wisher & the Afroeaters," Toia said.
"And she is coordinating with us to plan additional poetry related community projects for the fall and winter of 2025-26.”
New art, programs, headquarters
In 2026, KSAT will welcome National Book Award finalist and National Book Critics Circle Award winner in poetry Ross Gay, with details to be released in the coming months.
Looking a bit further into the future, some exciting prospects for the KSAT are on the horizon, with the nonprofit updating its strategic plan for goals and initiatives over the next three to five years.
“Among those are the addition of new artworks along the trail, and improvement projects that will allow us to better serve the community," Toia said.
"As well as to establish a brick-and-mortar home for Karl Stirner Arts Trail Incorporated somewhere in the quarter that would include a small office, meeting space, flexible space for educational purposes as a gallery and for the community for programming."
To get that off the ground, KSAT will ramp up its efforts via capital and fundraising campaigns, and establish an endowment to ensure a stable base for project funding.
Toia said KSAT is working with former Lafayette College President Dan Weiss, who also is former president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to develop further plans for the trail and the nonprofit.
Weiss recently joined Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and former Mayor Phil Mittman to tour the KSAT.
'Continue to support our efforts'
Toia concluded by thanking council, the mayor, the city administration, and the Public Works for their continued support of the KSAT.
“It's such a special place in the city..."Easton City Councilwoman Crystal Rose
"We hope and trust that you will continue to support our efforts and growth as we continue to help make the city an exemplary leader in making art an intricate fabric that enhances our civic pride and enriches our community,” Toia said.
Easton City Councilwoman Crystal Rose thanked Toia and the KSAT board, along with volunteers, for their event planning and programming that attracts residents and visitors to the path every year.
“It's such a special place in the city, and I think it really serves as a connector between the neighborhoods and a safe passageway for bikers, riders and cyclists and artwork, and everything, too,” Rose said.
