Published December 13. 2022 02:33PM
by Dana Grubb Special to the Bethlehem Press
At a late October dedication and ribbon cutting, a new sculpture, “The Cloud,” became part of the city’s public art collection. Located at Founders Way and East Third Street, the sculpture was created by internationally known and award-winning sculptor Carol Penelope Lambert. It was funded by Northampton County out of hotel taxes, according to Tina Smith, the county’s director of community and economic development, who read a proclamation from County Executive Lamont McClure before presenting it to Lambert.
‘The Cloud’ is made of cast iron and steel, and weighs in at 3,000 pounds. Lambert, who also teaches at Alfred University, said, “Art is used to regenerate these kinds of sites,” referencing the former home plant of Bethlehem Steel Corp. She said recycled iron was used and poured into forms that she built individually, which makes each part unique. She worked on it for two years.
Mayor J. William Reynolds said the centerpiece of revitalization in the city has been art and history.
Lambert said that there are a number of metaphors in the piece ,including the silver lining, that history is always moving similar to clouds in the sky, and that it is a symbol of renewal with its coiled pieces. “It’s completely unique,” said Lambert, “which talks about the uniqueness of the community” in which it’s installed.
Press photos by Dana Grubb Sculptor Carol Penelope Lambert explains how she cast ‘Cloud' by building her own individual forms and using recycled iron.
As Mayor J. William Reynolds holds the dedication ribbon, sculptor Carol Penelope Lambert cuts it.
Struts supporting the 3,000 pound ‘Cloud' represent rays of the sun piercing the clouds. The Star of Bethlehem is also hammered into the right side.
Tina Smith, director of Norco's community and economic development, reads a proclamation from County Executive Lamont McClure noting that, “the blue color is a color of optimism.”
