Banana Factory’s ‘First Friday’ Events Further Connection between Arts and the Community
Experience the next ‘First Friday’ on June 2
Bethlehem, PA, May 31, 2023 – ArtsQuest invites the community to participate in First Fridays, held on the first Friday of each month, at the Banana Factory Arts Center. The next First Friday will be held on June 2, 2023, from 6-9 p.m., at the Banana Factory, 25 W. Third Street, on Bethlehem’s SouthSide.
This free event will feature three unique exhibitions, open art studios, live music, a glassblowing demonstration and an Artist Talk from special guest Meg Wolensky, who will be discussing her exhibition, Fever Dream, at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, there will be a free Teen Takeover program from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Banko Gallery.
During monthly First Friday events, ArtsQuest hosts a free open house with open artist studios, exhibition receptions, live music, creative family workshops and artist lectures. Free hands-on art projects often relate to current exhibitions on display and further opportunities for families to learn about local and regional artists. Visitors are invited to discuss pieces with the artists and purchase items displayed throughout the building and from the artists inside their studios. The ArtsQuest Glass Studio provides dynamic glassblowing demonstrations as well as Hot Glass Experiences.
“First Fridays provide an opportunity to engage with and support local artists, experience art exhibitions and artmaking, enjoy live music, and more,” commented Lisa Harms, Senior Director of Visual Arts & Education. “This free event allows visitors to get to know the Resident Artists of the Banana Factory through art demonstrations and studio visits. This unique event connects the community to the arts through hands-on experiences and engaging dialogue with local artists.”
Exhibitions that are currently on display include:
- Fever Dream: Paintings by Meg Wolensky
- An Uncommon Thread: Fashion as Fine Art by Barbara Kavchok
- Fire & Form: Glass Art Exhibition This is one of the final opportunities to see this exhibition before it closes on June 4, 2023.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.
Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
