Lafayette faculty, arts professionals, and former students who are now artists/educators will discuss the immense impact of Kerns, the first chairman of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail (KSAT) Board of Directors and author of its mission and vision, on Saturday, March 21, at 3:30 p.m. in Buck Hall, Landis Cinema, Lafayette College.
Speakers will discuss Kerns’ activities, approaches, and successes as an intellectual who broke down siloed disciplines and fostered collaborations between a broad range of academic disciplines to create community-oriented projects and pursuits.
Topics will include his early professional career, unique projects through Lafayette (Frankenstein 2029, Katrina relief community-driven work in New Orleans, development of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail), and studio practice and collaboration with students. Samples of Kerns’ collaborations will be on display in the Buck Hall lobby and Williams Visual Arts Building lobby.
Cocktails will follow at Ahart Plaza at 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting).
A screening of the film Young Frankenstein will start at 7:30 p.m. in Landis Cinema
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on March 22 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Colton Chapel, Lafayette College. Speakers will include Alex Hendrickson, Lafayette’s college chaplain and director of religious and spiritual life, Lafayette President Nicole Hurd, former Lafayette President Daniel Weiss, and artists and Lafayette alumni Berrisford Boothe and Ross Gay.
Refreshments will follow.
KSAT Executive Director Jim Toia will lead a tour of the arts trail at 2:30 p.m., highlighting the sculptures, KSAT’s development, and Kerns’ influence on its mission and success. A map for a self-guided tour of Kerns’ work in various campus buildings will also be available.
