Celebrating Bethlehem's Southside Culture
Jeffrey Boerner, director of the popular Fab Lab in Northampton Community College, is a resolute type. When I asked him about his role at the Fab Lab, I was surprised when he sarcastically responded: “I got trapped.” But as he began to delve into its creation, I believe the program’s conception could be defined as…
Ellen Flynn’s eagerness is intoxicating as we discuss her “favorite time of the year” at the Art Establishment: the Special Needs Art Show. On March 4, the studio will hold this event for the third year in a row, building on its past success. Last year, 53 artists of all ages lined the walls and…
For the students of The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, or Charter Arts for short, “the campus is the community.” Located in the heart of Southside Bethlehem, Executive Director & CEO of Charter Arts Diane LaBelle says that the school truly focuses on partnerships and involvement with the South Bethlehem community. While…
In a couple of months, Donegan Elementary School will be overrun by monsters. Monsters made of felt that is, created by third-graders under the guidance of Mallory Zondag during her residency program at the school in January. Zondag is a Lehigh Valley native who got her start in art, specifically textiles, attending summer camps at…
In the crisp days of early November, photographers (as well as other image-based artists and enthusiasts) gathered in South Bethlehem for the 2017 InVision Photo Festival at the Banana Factory Arts Center and SteelStacks. The festival combined contests, talks, workshops, and exhibitions to provide a unique experience for artists, one rife with educational, professional, and…
I was lucky enough to talk with Doug Zucco and Ron Schira as they set up for the opening of their latest exhibit at the Art Establishment. We sat on a couch in the middle of the airy space, pieces of their art lined up along the walls and around the floor waiting to be…
“Fun, energetic, and a little chaotic (but in a good way!)” This is how Ellen Flynn, who owns the Art Establishment with her husband, Tom, describes the Indie Craft Fair taking place on Sunday, November 26. The event features handmade items from local artists just in time for holiday gift giving! I talked with Ellen…
The Art Establishment is a vibrant community art space offering classes, gallery space, studio rentals, life drawing, events and much more. My husband, Tom, and I have run the Art Establishment since 2015 and love being able to engage with a community of artists of all levels and abilities. One of our favorite things that…
If you’ve wandered into Lit Roastery and Bakeshop on Third Street during the past few weeks, then you were greeted by a display of bright, eye-catching collages and paintings. These pieces, with titles including “Twice Caught Like A Rabbit” and “Heavy Eyelids, Loose Jaw,” are evocative works that demand to be looked at; they do…
Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Artist Collective member Michelle Lee about her involvement with the Collective and her work. A dynamic group of artists from across the country comprise the ArtsQuest’s Artist Collective, a resource of creative, networking, professional development, and career opportunities for visual artists. A talented artist, Lee resides in…