ARTSQUEST’S BANANA FACTORY REINTRODUCES FIRST FRIDAY AND SECOND SUNDAY ARTS PROGRAMS
These monthly events, focused on accessibility and support for the local arts, are free and open to the public.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – ArtsQuest’s First Friday and Second Sunday programs have returned to the Banana Factory Arts Center. Members of the public are invited to these free programs where attendees can enjoy guided gallery tours, open artist studios, art-making activities and glassblowing demonstrations.
“We are excited to welcome the community back to our building to experience the arts in person again,” ArtsQuest’s Senior Director of Visual Arts and Education Lisa Harms said. “These events are free and accessible to all. It’s the perfect opportunity to socialize, meet people from across the area and learn more about our programs and offerings.”
The First Friday series kicked off on September 3 and featured glassblowing in the ArtsQuest glass studio, glass fusing in the mosaics/fusing classroom, drawloom weaving and pallet knife technique demonstrations. The new painting “Lunar Clarity” by Doug Boehm was on display and there was live music in the Crayola Gallery. Save the date for the next event on Friday, Oct. 1 with professional photographer Michael Barone.
The Second Sunday series will be family-oriented with free programming from 12-3 p.m. including interactive tours, scavenger hunts, drop-in art workshops and community collaborations. On Sunday, Sept. 12, the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT) will set up a bike skills course in the parking lot, provide bike safety checks and give away free helmets to children who need them. Board Certified Music Therapist Hilari Stahler will also do a free session of her class “Draw Me a Song,” presented by More Than Music, LLC. There will also be an art scavenger hunt, take-home crafts and a kid-friendly tour through the Banana Factory’s galleries. Visit bananafactory.org for more information.
ArtsQuest presents a wide variety of visual arts classes for all skill levels including classes for adults and children, as well as virtual workshops. The Banana Factory Arts Center has 28 studios which are all rent subsidized, enabling artists to afford a space to create their work. Many of our resident artists teach education classes and private lessons in their studios. Visit bananafactory.org/classes for more information about offerings available this fall. ArtsQuest will continue to follow the latest CDC, state and local health and safety guidelines. Visit artsquest.org/safety for more information.
