Karl Stirner
Sculptor, Patriarch of the Easton Arts Community
Interview by Kelly Prentice
Photographed by Larry Fink
About the artist: A sculptor who works on a monumental scale, reflecting his work ethic and ambition, Stirner has a passion for attracting artists to Easton and collecting 20th century West African, Pre-Columbian, and Polynesian sculpture and objects.
Where they’re from: Germany
When they moved to Easton: 1983
Why they live in Easton: I first came because a friend said you could buy anything you want for real cheap here, which turned out to be totally true. I came out here because I found this great building for practically nothing. Plus, it was one hour and 10 minutes through the tunnel and there’s an amazing world there in New York. But then after living here for a short time, it suddenly seemed like this amazing location: this great historic town that had a lot of wonderful old buildings. It had a real sense of history. You know, Ben Franklin walked these streets, and it was all amazing. It became part of my life, I started to feel really centered here.
Philosophy: I worked hard to bring artists into town. What I would do was study where there were properties available and they were just kind of giveaways at the time. And people would come and if I didn’t know the property I would find one. The result was I was a realtor operating without commission. It was a lot of fun.
What makes them smile: When I lived in Upper Black Eddy, somehow I acquired this little newspaper that was published in Phillipsburg. It was by a city council guy decrying the fact that there was “so much urinating and fornicating in the city’s alleyways.” I just thought that was funnier than hell. So I put it up on my wall and for years and years, to everyone who came along, I said, “Look at that crazy thing!” That’s how I developed the attitude about Easton. Then I moved here and discovered, there are some serious people here. There’s an old society here that’s ongoing . . . and the love of this town that is in these people. Geez, the Declaration of Independence was read here. I’m not a historian type at all, but that’s impressive.
How they see Easton’s future: There have been some enormous changes in Easton lately due to our [new] mayor. We’re now coming back. I’m now on a committee at Lafayette College to restore the Silk Mill on 13th Street, a community arts project that could have enormous impact on the city.
Karl Stirner passed away in 2016. He was 92 years old.
Links for further reading:
https://www.karlstirnerartstrail.org/
This interview was originally published in the Third Edition of Laini’s Little Pocket Guide to Easton in 2010. It was accompanied by the following:
They flee from New York City and elsewhere, because they found a warehouse building at a price they couldn’t pass up. Or because Easton reminds them of a place they once knew, long ago and far away. Maybe it’s because their friend Karl Stirner convinced them to come. Or because of its historic charm and the opportunity to create art in seeming anonymity.