Michelle Neifert sets up in her studio on Oct. 7, 2016 at the Banana Factory of South Bethlehem. Neifert produces original acrylics as well as wearable art. (Grace Rountry/B&W Staff)
Since its inception, ArtsQuest has had one goal: to bring the Bethlehem community the gift of the arts and provide an outlet for people to express themselves artistically.
This is how the idea for First Friday came about.
On the first Friday of every month, people are welcomed into the Bethlehem community to celebrate the arts and learn about new and exciting opportunities in Bethlehem. Local galleries and shops host events.
Visitors are encouraged to go door to door seeking what each new corner of First Friday has to offer — usually food, music and art, with a new theme each month. This month’s theme was celebrating Oktoberfest, since October’s First Friday coincided with the yearly festival.
Bethlehem staples such as Molly’s Irish Grille, the Bookstore Speakeasy, Lehigh Pizza and Touchstone Theatre all participated in this month’s First Friday with their own events and an Oktoberfest-themed twist.
Even though First Friday’s events are spread throughout Bethlehem, they are headquartered in the Banana Factory Arts Center.
This particular First Friday had events such as a weaving demonstration, glass blowing open studio, jewelry making show and an artist educator’s open house. Each month, however, these events change for the next First Friday.
“It is a nice break from going to classes because when you are glassblowing you have to only pay attention to glassblowing, you can’t think of other things that would distract you,” Rachel McCoog, ’19, said. “If I have a paper to write, that has to go out the window, I can’t be thinking about that when I am holding hot glass. I have to be in the zone of glassblowing.”
Hillary Harper, the senior manager of visual arts at the Banana Factory, said Bethlehem had to work to regain their identity as a town when the steel mill closed. They first started Christkindlmarkt, so Bethlehem became known for festivals and German culture.
Harper said intercity spaces attract artists, and once they arrive, more and more people follow. The arts have brought revitalization to Bethlehem.
Stacie Brennan, ’03G, the senior director of visual arts at the Banana Factory, said the factory, and specifically First Fridays, is always showcasing something new.
“The best part is it’s always an open house, and people get to experience all the wonderful things we do,” Brennan said. “People of all backgrounds and ages interacting and having conversations around art. The studios are open so people can talk to artists about process and creation.”
Brennan said Lehigh’s relationship with the South Side has changed in conjunction with its relationship with the Banana Factory. In years past, professors from Lehigh’s art department were resident artists at the Banana Factory, which drew students to the building.
Now, both the Banana Factory and Lehigh have a younger staff, and the factory is hoping to collaborate more with the university and grow a better relationship.
Dan Friedman, South Bethlehem’s downtown coordinator, said First Fridays are a way to dispel negative stereotypes about South Bethlehem and celebrate its culture and history.
In addition to First Fridays, Friedman said Bethlehem is constantly running events to build a better community, such as the upcoming Safe Trick or Treat .
One participant of the event, Jackie Smith, said she attended this First Friday because she heard about glassblowing and wanted to see what it was all about. This was her first time attending a First Friday, and she said it was a positive experience.
“When the Banana Factory was first proposed many, many years ago, it was done with this foresight of being an arts area,” said Frank Smith, a photojournalist who teaches classes at the Banana Factory. “It has just been amazing seeing its growth.”
Lehigh is now aiming to work more with ArtsQuest in transforming Bethlehem into a more arts friendly community. Lehigh is helping ArtsQuest fund a screening of a documentary in November.
The Banana Factory is planning to expand over the next few years by adding more classrooms, programming and arts. The purpose of this expansion is to continue its mission of facilitating culture in the Lehigh Valley.
Bethlehem is planning on continuing First Friday, with next month’s theme being Thanksgiving.
Comment policy
Comments posted to The Brown and White website are reviewed by a moderator before being approved. Incendiary speech or harassing language, including comments targeted at individuals, may be deemed unacceptable and not published. Spam and other soliciting will also be declined.
The Brown and White also reserves the right to not publish entirely anonymous comments.