Join ArtsQuest for a free event on March 15, featuring molten iron and live electric sound by international artists Coral Lambert and Paul Higham
Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., March 10, 2025 – On Saturday, March 15 at 7 p.m., an exciting iron pour performance will take place on the SteelStacks lawn. British sculptor Coral Lambert will use her portable iron furnace to melt and cast hot iron stars in the shape of the city’s Bethlehem star while sound artist, Paul Higham accompanies the performance with an original composition of environmental sounds. This event is a unique opportunity for any lover of the arts or Bethlehem pride, made possible by The Borgenicht Foundation’s grant for free arts and cultural activities.
Starting at dusk, the iron casters will carry the stars along the lawn in front of the stacks and arrange them in a beautiful display. The stars will slowly fade from bright orange to their natural iron state as the sound composition plays and more molten iron stars are poured. About 40 stars will be poured over a one-hour period, creating a magnificent display of Bethlehem pride. The performance results in a cast iron sculpture that will be exhibited later. The view of the stars glowing as they are cast becomes a memorable story to be told.
Coral Lambert and Paul Higham have been developing their molten iron and fire performance art together over the past 30 years. They have traveled all over the globe, showcasing projects in Switzerland, Germany, and the USA.
About the Artists
British American sculptor, Coral Penelope Lambert is internationally recognized for working in cast metal as well as producing large scale outdoor sculpture. She is a Professor of Sculpture at Alfred University, where she is also the Director of the National Casting Center Foundry. Her work seeks to address darker issues related to the earth’s resources and has been exhibited in major museums, galleries and sculpture parks.
Scottish American artist, Paul Higham is a pioneer of early computer sculpture combining conceptual paradigms with computational technology in his art for over 40 years. In the early 70’s, he studied sculpture at Goldsmiths College of Art in London. Higham was part of the circle around Joy Division using early sound sampling and sequencing. He has exhibited and performed at venues internationally.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 50 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
Information provided to TVL by:
Bryn Keeney
