Karl Stirner, the visionary artist whose admiration for Easton sparked an arts renaissance in his adopted hometown, died Thursday. He was 92.
Stirner, an internationally acclaimed sculptor, inspired dozens of artists with his friendship, honesty and passion for the truth, friends said.
"He wasn't just bending metal," said Easton artist Berrisford Boothe, a longtime friend. "He understood the role of the artist.
"The reasons people make art is because their life has exposed them to experiences and phenomena that they have to translate," Boothe said. "Karl collected all this work but he also knelt in front of it every day. He was the highest-order artist in town."
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. confirmed Stirner's death early Friday afternoon.
"He was a dear friend to many and a favorite son of our city who will be greatly missed," Panto said in a statement.
In tribute to Stirner's contributions, Panto said, the Easton flag in Centre Square will be lowered to half-staff until Monday afternoon. The American flag already is at half-staff due to the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Stirner is memorialized in Easton by the Karl Stirner Arts Trail that opened along the Bushkill Creek in 2011. The 2.5-mile-long trail connects
Sad news to share today. Easton and an international arts community mourn the loss of Mr. Karl Stirner. The Friends of...
Posted by Friends of The Karl Stirner Arts Trail on Friday, February 19, 2016
He was among
"In the beginning I had to work my ass off. I had to stay one step ahead of the students," he said in a 2000 interview. "I taught sculpture, jewelry making, painting. Being in charge is a responsibility. I was a teacher then but I've always been a doer."
"He could have been anywhere else in the world but he chose here," Marraccini said.
"He was a major force for developing the arts in Easton," said city artist Isadore Laduca, who teaches at Northampton Community College. Laduca was also taken under Stirner's wing. He noted Stirner's productivity even into his 90s.
Stirner's legacy is evident in the multiple galleries and art-friendly businesses in the Downtown.
"For a town of 27,000 people, there's a ton of art," Marraccini said.
Ashton Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements, which were incomplete Friday. Family members said they expect a memorial will be held next week.
Boothe, a painter and digital artist who teaches at Lehigh University, recalled Stirner as a towering figure who was unpretentious and warm. He met Stirner in the 1980s after graduating from Lafayette College and they became close friends.
Other artists joked that Stirner was the "art pope" of Easton as they sought out his blessings and advice in their personal and professional lives, Boothe said.
His presence was powerful yet he maintained a humility that invited people, he said.
"You could always be exactly who you needed to be with him," Boothe said. "I have never met anyone else in my life who could occupy space and at the same time -- out of his grace and kindness of heart -- both be there and disappear so you could see yourself."
Supervising reporter Rudy Miller contributed to this article.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.