For Anne and Brad Baum, supporting ArtsQuest is about more than music or events, it’s about investing in the Lehigh Valley, the community they proudly call home. “ArtsQuest brings people together,” the Baums say. “It gives families, young people and artists a place to connect, create and celebrate. That’s the kind of community we want to help grow.” ...
On a warm summer evening in Bethlehem, the streets pulse with music and laughter. Food vendors line the walkways and streets; local artists share their work and families sway to the rhythm of a live band performing on the Wind Creek Steel Stage. It’s Musikfest, one of the Lehigh Valley’s most beloved traditions, and it’s a celebration made possible, in no small part, by a steadfast partner: PNC. For Pete Danchak, PNC Regional President for Northeast Pennsylvania, this kind ...
A health insurance company and an arts nonprofit might seem like an unlikely pairing at first glance. But for Capital Blue Cross, supporting ArtsQuest fits seamlessly into its mission to promote public health and wellness. “Our mission at Capital is to improve the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve, and supporting the arts is an integral part of that effort,” says Vicki Doulé, Lehigh Valley Executive at Capital Blue Cross and a member of...
The new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL will include many unique spaces destined for community growth and development through the arts. One of those spaces will include a new Volunteer Center, a place where volunteers can meet, train and network with each other. “When the opportunity arose to support the new Creative Factory by naming a dedicated volunteer area within the building, we enthusiastically said YES,” commented Chuck and...
For over three decades, Crayola’s partnership with ArtsQuest has kindled the creative spirit of thousands of children, paving the way for the next generation of innovators and artists. This long-standing partnership, which began in 1985, underscores Crayola’s deep commitment to fostering creativity in children and supporting the arts. Crayola’s support for ArtsQuest reflects its ongoing mission to inspire creative expression and enhance art education within the community. ...
ArtsQuest has long been a cornerstone of the Lehigh Valley’s cultural fabric, but for many involved in its growth and revitalization, this non-profit organization represents more than just a venue for the arts; it embodies community, resilience and a shared belief in the power of the arts to transform lives. One such supporter, Vicki Doulé, has been at the heart of ArtsQuest’s journey for 10 years. Through her leadership roles, deep commitment to the arts and...
As the steel industry began collapsing in 1982, unemployment in Bethlehem was 13% and residents were leaving town. Jeffrey Parks’ idea for Musikfest debuted in 1984 and has since helped to make Bethlehem a magnet for a community of diverse arts and cultural experiences. Brenda and John McGlade have attended almost every Musikfest and, like Parks, aspire to provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the arts, cultural and educational experiences. ......
In January, ArtsQuest announced the next major milestone in the Re-Imagine! That Capital Campaign. The PPL Foundation was designated as the official naming sponsor of the former Banana Factory, now officially named the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL. As the gateway to the SouthSide Arts District, this arts and cultural-based landmark will make a positive economic impact to communities of the Lehigh Valley while paying homage to its original name. The Banana Factory, which was the first brick and mortar of ArtsQuest was dedicated by Marlene “Linny” Fowler in 1998. ...
What started out as a dinner conversation between friends and business associates, including Musikfest founder Jeff Parks and other city officials, on how to rejuvenate and enhance the former Bethlehem Steel Site on the city’s SouthSide, has evolved into the development of a vibrant arts and cultural campus that, many years later, continues its growth trajectory. Gregg and Cindy Feinberg have been intimately involved in ArtsQuest for well over 20 years. ...
A strong desire to help others in a way that made you never forget her, always rooting for the underdog, Latin music of Zumba, the color purple and high heels are all what comes to mind when remembering the life and spirit of Angela René Pessina, beloved and cherished daughter of Michele and Michael Pessina. ArtsQuest is humbled and beyond grateful for the generous gifts of support given by Angelas’s parents, in their daughter’s memory; a daughter whose life was cut short during the early hours of October 28, 2012, as a result of a car accident. ...
As we make way for the new, state-of-the-art Cultural Center to be completed in 2026, ArtsQuest’s visual arts and education programming will continue as planned, thanks to the generosity of community partners. After two decades of continuous growth, the Banana Factory has fallen into a state of disrepair that is not economically feasible to update and modernize nor does it have the vital space needed to offer new and expanded arts and educational programming. The new Cultural Center will be a visual arts and educational hub for all ages that will feature more space to include a new comedy theater, digital production lab and recording studio along with added classroom and exhibition spaces to expand ArtsQuest’s existing programs....