EASTON, Pa. — The cultivators of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail are celebrating their successes and looking forward to a vibrant and imaginative future for art- and nature-loving Eastonians and visitors alike.
Executive Director of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail Jim Toia and board Chairwoman Melissa Starace stopped by Easton City Hall last week to enlighten borough council on the past, present and future of the trailway — a bridge between nature and humanity right in the city.
- Easton's Karl Stirner Arts Trail has seen increased traffic from the local community and visitors over the past few years
- The trail's board is working hard to maintain the space and its artwork, along with original programming including partnerships with Lafayette's art department
- A new community-driven piece by Nestor Armando Gil will feature vinyl picnic blankets and curated menus from local vendors
Starace described the trail as a “forward-looking thought of how can we use this underutilized space,” which led to the creation of a pathway surrounded by the wilderness and speckled with intriguing pieces meant to establish “a place for civic dialogue for art [and] nature.”
As it turns out, the relatively short and simple path — which runs 1.75 miles one way, an easy trek whether you’re walking alone, with the kids, or perhaps your pup — has become a major draw for area residents and visitors.
“We know that there's folks from New York, New Jersey, folks that are really interested in art, as well as hiking and riding, who also come to the trail. And you can see that as we've been tracking our numbers, we've seen a significant increase over time, with it ranging from about 100,000 to over 130,000 visitors per year."Karl Stirner Arts Trail board chair Melissa Starace
“We know that there's folks from New York, New Jersey, folks that are really interested in art, as well as hiking and riding, who also come to the trail," Starace said.
"And you can see that as we've been tracking our numbers, we've seen a significant increase over time, with it ranging from about 100,000 to over 130,000 visitors per year.”
Reasons to visit the trail
Starace said that increase in visitors likely will continue, as its popularity has made it a weekly, or sometimes even daily, destination for locals and vacationers.
From the vivid and powerful images of Habib Fall’s “Freedom Fighters and the Underground Railroad” mural to Steve Tobin’s eerily enchanting “Late Bronze Root” to Stirner’s own well-known “Untitled (Arch for the KSAT)," the path is ripe with a variety of pieces in unusual perspectives and styles, constantly keeping the viewer engaged.
At the same time, the greenery, the waterway, the sounds of birds and other wildlife serve as an entrancing background track for walkers to truly appreciate the mission of the trail’s board.
"So over the last few weeks, and in the weeks to come, models will be on the arts trail."Executive Director of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail Jim Toia
Beyond visitors simply walking the trail and appreciating the art, the KSAT board constantly strives to create a strong sense of engagement with the public, Toia said.
“Lafayette College runs an open studio art model session every Thursday night, and we've invited the college to hold a few of those modeling sessions on the arts trail," Toia said.
"So over the last few weeks, and in the weeks to come, models will be on the arts trail."
Weaving nature into art
Just recently, the board installed informational plaques near the historic Sycamore tree, “Living Witness,” which almost as old as the city.
“It was born in 1757, so it's only five years younger than the city itself," Toia said.
"We've recently created plaques for it and on those plaques, we have a number of cited dates around 1757, both in terms of the city, the country and world.”
“Art is really the glue that brings all of these things together."Executive Director of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail Jim Toia
Toia also highlighted an interactive map visitors can access online that gives users access to descriptions and images of trail artworks, points of interest, parking areas and nearby galleries and museums.
But the thing that ties all the elements of the trail together is the creativity, Toia said, especially those that weave nature into the art.
“Art is really the glue that brings all of these things together," he said. "We plant trees that aren't just trees, but there aren't pieces. This is a project with Sam Van Aken, he built a tree that grafted 40 different types of fruits on the tree.
"So if you go on the arch trail, you can actually see 20 of the 40 different stone fruits growing on the tree right now."
Funding keeps KSAT alive and thriving
While the Karl Stirner Arts Trail is an incredible blend of art and the outdoors, being that it is a free excursion, the space's curators are dependent on a community that recognizes the importance and necessity of such a creation.
“The founders envisioned the trail really as a natural space in an urban setting dedicated to art, nature and the advancement of civic dialogue. And when you think of that as a mission, I think we've been achieving that mission very well.”Board Chairwoman Melissa Starace
“When you think of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail and board, we see our role is really being the curators of the trail," Starace said.
"Whether that's through programming, whether that's through new art acquisition, the maintenance, or working with the city for installations, which have been incredibly helpful.
“The founders envisioned the trail really as a natural space in an urban setting dedicated to art, nature and the advancement of civic dialogue. And when you think of that as a mission, I think we've been achieving that mission very well.”
While philanthropy and volunteerism are the backbones of the art trail, Starace noted that diversifying funding streams could provide much-needed help for the space, and that any money from the city itself would be greatly appreciated in the pursuit of their mission.
“I hope we provided a narrative today to talk about our impact, and considering helping to provide a level of administrative financial support that can help with our team that we have staffed,” Starace said.
Looking to the future on the trail
Never ones to rest on their laurels, the KSAT board is continuously searching for new and interesting additions — as well as the return of some fan favorites — for the programming and the art along the little slice of nature.
“The Artful Dash will be happening again this October 15," Toia said. "It's an excellent opportunity for us to show off the trail. We have a ‘Come as You Art and Arf’ this year,’ a Halloween party/parade and our annual Winter Solstice, which happens in December."
Trail fans can also look forward to the continuation of Movies Along the Trail, featuring flicks for children and some more date-night friendly features.
Toia said he's particularly excited about Lafayette associate professor and artist Nestor Armando Gil’s upcoming showcase, which will welcome guests to interact with the art in creative new ways.
“It's almost like if you imagine picnic blankets, but having them designed and then printed on vinyl fabric that can be rolled out periodically over the next years to come, actually, for individual dates where the community is invited to come and a local vendor will be creating food for the community,” Toia said.
“That's all-in collaboration with Nestor. He'll have artists who will be kind of helping him design the menu and oversee this kind of communal setting.”
'Different than a normal trail'
Both Toia and Starace extended an invitation to board members to also explore the wonders of the trail; several members already have enjoyed it themselves.
“One of the things I like about the trail is every time you go, it's forever changing,” Councilman Ken Brown said. “From season to season, from different birds, different environmental things going on, the programming… I just love going down there and just being at peace, while I'm getting my exercise at the same time.”
“One of the things I like about the trail is every time you go, it's forever changing."Easton Councilman Ken Brown
That's a sentiment shared by many members of the community and visitors from outside the city, as more and more people continue to traverse the trail to enjoy a little slice of art, entertainment and the serene beauty of nature tucked into a little stretch of Easton.
“I come here at least once a day with him, usually twice,” Charlie Pranio, who was walking his dog Hodor on Monday morning, said. “We get nice and hot doing our walk, and then we go for a swim down there right by the bridge.
“I like that it’s so close to where I live; I can walk here. I like that it’s quirky, I like that there’s art — here’s fixtures and sculptures and paintings.
"It’s different than a normal trail, it’s got some nice art. It’s just something different.”
