The City of Richardson and supporters of the Charles W. Eisemann Center celebrated the completion and unveiling of the lightpainting Seven Muses by internationally renowned artist Stephen Knapp in April 2006. The commission of the lightpainting was made possible by a gift to the City from Jim and Gayla Von Ehr of Richardson. The lightpainting lends a sense of magic and beauty to the soaring space of the Leftwich Grand Foyer which is enjoyed by all the patrons attending performances and events of all kinds at the Eisemann Center. During daylight hours, the work’s colors appear pale, they hint at “promise.” At night, when the ambient light is minimal, the work’s bright, intense colors suggest “fulfillment.” On a dark day, the colors jump out with more life; the inherent kinetics of the piece act as a mirror to possibilities and inspiration.
In an interview with Adrienne Garnett in Art of the Times, Knapp, when asked about Seven Muses said, “I want people to see and feel the energy that is emanating from the center of it. I want people to see the subtleties, not just the bright colors that are associated with my work. A lot of time is dedicated to making this about discovering extraordinary possibilities with light.”
During his lifetime (1947-2017), Stephen Knapp gained an international reputation for large-scale works of art placed in public, corporate, and private collections, created in media as diverse as kiln-formed, dichroic, and cast glass, metal, stone, mosaic, ceramic and light. His art testifies to a strong direction in contemporary work – an artistic response to technical advancements that encourage new forms. Knapp frequently wrote and lectured on architectural art glass, the collaborative process, and the integration of art and architecture. Throughout Stephen Knapp’s career, there were constants – a passion for his art, a curiosity for the new, continuing research into materials, and a commitment to the techniques and processes involved in executing his ideas. Knapp's work has appeared in many international publications including Art and Antiques, Architectural Record, ARTnews, Ceramics Monthly, Honoho Geijutsu, Identity, Interior Design, Interiors, Nikkei Architecture, Progressive Architecture , and The New York Times. For more information on Stephen and his body of work, visit www.stephenknapp.com and www.lightpaintings.com.