Local events happening in the Lehigh Valley!

Local Art in the Lehigh Valley

Art in the Valley thrives

What’s the best thing about the Lehigh Valley? It’s hard to narrow it down. One thing that stands out is the thriving local art scene within Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The Lehigh Valley is known for its diverse culture. A community that embraces different types of expression. Lehigh Valley benchmarks include the Allentown Art Museum, the Banana Factory, and the State Theatre. These places bring the community together to flourish artistic ability and showcase the talent of the people who live here. The interconnectivity between the Lehigh Valley art scene and the community is unparalleled.

Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton

The Allentown Art Museum has most notably been a shining star in the art community since its establishment by impressionist painter Walter Emerson Baum in 1934. The museum has a vast array of exhibits and collections and a long history of illustrating the beauty of different movements throughout time. Currently, the museum is featuring the exhibit “Women of Vision” which showcases photographs telling the poignant and moving stories that were covered over the last decade. The photographs range from detailing the war in Libya to more locally the Jersey shore. These eleven women gave a rare glimpse into the events taking place in different parts of the world.

Another remarkable gem within the Lehigh Valley is the Banana Factory Art Center. Located in south Bethlehem, the studio houses galleries and cultivates creativity with its courses and workshops open to the public. The courses range from glass blowing to mosaics to photography and everything in between. The Banana Factory holds an ongoing event called “First Friday”. This event celebrates local art and engages the community. Local restaurants, merchants, and artists open their doors to the people of the Lehigh Valley for fun activities which include demonstrations, artist talks, and gallery viewings.

The State Theatre in Easton “breaks a leg” in showcasing incredible live performances. The State Theatre hosts Broadway shows to comedians to local benefits. Every spring the stunning stage hosts an award show, The Freddy’s, which dedicates the night to the talent of the local high school theater community. Most of all, a former manager of the State Theatre, Fred Osterstock, still has a presence at the theater even though he has passed away. When the theater hosts a show, they leave a seat open for Fred to enjoy the performance.

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Photo Source: (Credit: Cara Luther): Taken at the State Theatre