Resident Artists

Marlene "Linny" Fowler

Linny Fowler is the Banana Factory patron who was instrumental in selecting the site for the building and was a visionary in establishing the arts and education center. She is also a major philanthropist in the Lehigh Valley.

A self-taught stained glass artist, Linny began in 1967 when, as a stay at home mother, she did crafts with friends in her home.

“I love stained glass because it has so many vibrant colors, so many types of glass, allowing me to make beautiful scenes,” she says.

The Skidmore College graduate realized she had a knack for stained glass, took some classes at Crivillaro’s in Bethlehem, and twice a year had private shows and sales in her Saucon Valley studio until she moved into her Banana Factory studio in 1998. Linny also taught stained glass classes at the Allentown YWCA-YMCA for six years.

Octavio Peña became her partner in 1989. At the Banana Factory, they teach classes to adults, as well as to the children of Holy Infancy School. In 2007, in conjunction with the “Tiffany by Design” exhibit at the Allentown Art Museum, Linny taught stained glass to Elderhostel members.

Linny has a special affinity for children, especially those from Bethlehem’s SouthSide community, and provides many young people with scholarships to Banana Factory classes.

“I am so happy to have them here in an nonthreatening environment where they can increase their self-esteem and confidence by being exposed to and working in the arts,” she says.

Linny’s specialty is panels and stained glass stars, the latter always a favorite at Christkindlmarkt, the holiday market that takes place in downtown Bethlehem each year.

“I give stars to friends because I think a perfect gift is a portion of thyself,” she says.

Fowler-Peña work can be seen throughout the Lehigh Valley, including the front door of the Banana Factory, the DaVinci Science Center, the Salvation Army in Allentown and the Wellness Community of the Lehigh Valley.

Artist Statement

“The Banana Factory is what I envisioned it to be – a wonderful place where artists can be together to collaborate with each other. However, I think the most beautiful part is that we can share our love of art and talents with lower economic and minority youth who need the exposure to art.”

-Marlene "Linny" Fowler