Acclaimed Sculptor Chakaia Booker Is 2024–25 Artist-in-Residence
Internationally acclaimed artist Chakaia Booker will be the Karl Stirner Arts Trail’s 2024–25 artist-in-residence.
A panel discussion celebrating the artist and her sculpture installed on the KSAT this week, No More Milk and Cookies (right), will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 4 p.m. in Landis Cinema at Buck Hall, 219 N. 3rd St., Easton. A reception will follow by the sculpture on the arts trail’s Movie Hill near the KSAT dog park; shuttle service from Buck Hall to KSAT will be provided. The rain site is Buck Hall.
Photographer: Alexandre Ayer – Diversity Pictures
Sustainable Newsletter
Welcome to the digital Steps Along KSAT. We’ve using an online format as part of our commitment to sustainability and to be good stewards of the funding entrusted to us. Please share your feedback at info@karlstirnerartstrail.org.Your Support Matters
Please consider making a donation to help us continue providing free community programs and artworks on the KSAT.
Earlier this year, we launched the Pathways to Creativity Fund to seek more consistent funding for ongoing operations and the Red Arch Society to recognize our exceptionally generous donors. Learn more about both initiatives.
The panelists, who will join Booker in discussing the sculpture and her influence in the art world:
- Artist Berrisford Boothe, professor of art and architecture at Lehigh University and founding director/curator of the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection
- Artist Adama Delphine Fawundu, assistant professor of visual arts and director of graduate studies at Columbia University School of the Arts
- Artist Willie Cole, who created Grace Gate, the first artwork installed on the arts trail
- Robert S. Mattison, Marshall R. Metzgar Professor of Art History Emeritus at Lafayette College
The sculpture will remain for at least two years. Learn more about the sculpture, Booker, and an Oct. 12 art-making workshop.
The presence of No More Milk and Cookies on the trail and Booker’s KSAT residency are supported in part with funding from the Hotel Tax and Grow NORCO grant programs through the County of Northampton’s Department of Community & Economic Development, a Crayola Community Grant, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, its regional arts funding partnership.
Photo above by Jerry L. Thompson, courtesy of Storm King Art Center
7th Annual Artful Dash Walk/Run on Oct. 13
This year’s Artful Dash 5K Run/Walk starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13. The event is taking a big step up this year by providing precise times for participants. “The Artful Dash Committee is excited to offer chip timing for the first time in the event’s history,” says event organizer and KSAT board member Lynn Schoof. “We know it will provide our racers with a better race experience overall, and we hope it brings out a few more runners and walkers.”
You’ll receive a long-sleeve T-shirt if you register by Sunday, Sept. 15. All proceeds benefit the art and free community programs provided by KSAT.
Event sponsors so far are Harmony Animal Hospital, Paul Ford Realtors, St. Luke’s Health Network, Unity Bank, Hof & Reid, Lehigh Valley Health Network, RMG Insurance, Jim and Nancy Handzo, College Hill Dental, Rizz Containers, Fulton Bank, Dr. John Boscia (optometrist), and Bodacious Hair and Body. Thanks for your support!
Learn more about the race, sponsorship opportunities, or register.
Honoring Paul Deery
The Karl Stirner Arts Trail honors the memory of KSAT artist Paul Deery. Paul created Water Way, the first site-specific work on the trail.
— Monica Seligmann, Board Chair; Jim Toia, Executive Director and Curator; and the KSAT family
Walk & Talks With Nurture Nature Center
Nurture Nature Center and KSAT are teaming up to host two Walk & Talks this fall starting at the 13th St. parking lot.
“Planet Walk With Jeff Mucklin” will take place 10–11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, featuring a “walk” of the solar system with a visit of each planet along the way.
“Observing Late-Season Growth With Pam Ruch” will take place 10–11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, equipping participants with heightened observation skills as they examine growth along the trail.
New Tree of 40 Fruit
Artist Sam Van Aken returned to KSAT earlier this year to replace his Tree of 40 Fruit planted in 2016.
Hungry deer had distressed the tree, explains Jim Toia, KSAT executive director and curator. City of Easton workers removed it and dug a new hole for the replacement tree on adjacent ground. Workers also erected temporary fencing to protect the new tree in advance of permanent fencing to be installed later.
Van Aken previously planted smaller trees with a few stone fruits at the top of the same hill that have fared better.
Appreciation for Pioneering Leader Ed Kerns
Large portions of gratitude were served up at the Easton Public Market’s test kitchen in March as Ed Kerns was honored for his pivotal role in making the Karl Stirner Arts Trail a success.
Kerns’ plate was filled with praise for his contributions, a certificate of commendation from Easton Mayor Sal Panto, a resolution signed by members of the KSAT Board of Directors, and four framed KSAT photographs.
“It’s just a token of our appreciation for the incredible amount of work that you’ve done, and the vision that you’ve provided, and the language that you’ve provided that really helped guide the arts trail to where we are today,” said Jim Toia, KSAT executive director and curator.
Learn more about the event or read the board resolution.
Creativity on the Young Masters Wall
Children painting on the Young Masters Wall invited by coordinator Danny Moyer this year include students from Easton Arts Academy Elementary Charter School, kids from Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, and members of Girl Scout Troop 8747. Some images from the Girl Scouts (click on a photo to expand it to full size, then scroll through):
A Volunteer of Many Talents
Artful Dash 5K Run/Walk mastermind and KSAT board member Lynn Schoof lives in downtown Easton with husband Dustin and their three-legged black “wondercat,” Streaky, and Seamus, their orange “little monster” kitty.
How did you end up in Easton?
In 2013, I moved here for a job: reporter at the Express-Times covering the Slate Belt area … It was a “came for a job, stayed for love” type deal. Love for my husband, obviously, but I also really like the area. I’m from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. I constantly had to drive to Hershey, Lancaster, Reading, or York to find things to do. There’s always a lot of things to do here.
What’s the most fun part of organizing the Artful Dash 5K Run/Walk?
Just seeing everyone go across the start line. Once we get all the runners set up, I always go a little ahead of the start line so I can get a cool video of everyone coming across. I’m always so happy to see everybody there enjoying the trail. They’re not there for me or the planning committee; they’re there to support the trail. That’s what it’s all about. I always get a little teary eyed.
When you’re not working or volunteering, how do you like to spend your time?
I’m running, I’m cooking, I’m baking, I’m hanging out with my cats and my husband. I also work part time bartending at Weyerbacher. I volunteer for the Rotary Club and am the president-elect. I also like to see my friends.
What’s a fun fact that not many people know about you?
I grew up in Central Pennsylvania and therefore have “Amish Paradise” [Weird Al Yankovic’s parody of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise”] memorized word for word.
News You Might Have Missed
We admit it: It’s been a long stretch between issues of Steps Along KSAT. Here are a few headlines from 2024 that may have escaped your attention:
Lafayette Students Conduct Trail Cleanup
Outdoor Inspiration
One of the Top Things To Do in Easton
One of the Best Trails for Runners
Trail Images by Ed Shaughnessy
Also on the Trail
Mystic Bundle Making: Sunday, Sept. 22, noon–2 p.m., Valley Om, 1247 Simon Blvd N102. Learn about the medicinal plants that grow in your backyard by foraging for them on the arts trail. Offered by Valley Om. $35; a portion of proceeds will go to KSAT. Learn more and register.
Red Sand Project: Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m., at the trailhead arch behind Don Juan Mex Grill, 300 North 3rd Street. Help us fill pavement cracks with red sand to bear witness to missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Performing the Trail: Saturday, Oct. 5, 1:30 p.m. (rain date: Oct. 6), near the McAteer Bridge (“blue bridge”). Guided by dancer-poet donia salem harhoor, students, faculty, and community members will perform as they explore the relationship of body and place. The event culminates in a sound bath meditation led by Meg Green, so please bring a yoga mat. Learn more.
Art-making Workshop With Chakaia Booker: Saturday, Oct. 12, noon–2 p.m., at the base of Movie Hill near the KSAT dog park. Rain location: Ahart Family Arts Plaza next to Buck Hall. Collected found objects and materials will be hammered, nailed, screwed, tied, and glued together into new creations.
From Legal Cases to Camera Lens
A nearly lifelong resident of Easton, KSAT board member Ed Shaughnessy has operated his own legal practice for the past 34 years. He’s also an active board member and former board president of Greater Easton Development Partnership; vice president of Easton Area Industrial Land Developers, which lends money for business development and improvement projects; president of the Pomfret Club; and a board member of Safe Harbor Easton.
What do you like most about being a lawyer?
Helping people. No one ever comes in and says, “Things are awesome; can you make them more awesome?” People always have a problem. I’m always solving problems and helping people out, which is very satisfying. Also, in a law practice, there’s always something new, which keeps the mind fresh. Laws change, people are different, and situations are different. It makes life interesting.
What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened in your legal practice?
[A case] involved the drummer for the band Berlin, who was in a car accident and had trouble drumming afterward. I represented him, and we had a big screen with him drumming and a video of Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis because he did the drumming for a song in the movie Top Gun. There were clips of him on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. It was a really fun trial because of some of the exhibits.
What’s something not many people know about you?
I learned to surf when I was 18 but didn’t continue with it. I’m deaf in my left ear. I broke my leg in law school when I was sliding into second base. I still have a metal plate and 15 screws. That killed my skiing career.