BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest's planned new cultural center officially has a name.
The ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL — which will replace the Banana Factory Arts and Educational Center — will house a recording studio, free galleries, a glass studio, 36 artist studios and a dedicated outdoor space.
Staff from ArtsQuest and the PPL Foundation on Monday announced the naming sponsorship at a news conference at the now-closed original Banana Factory, at 25 W. Third St.
The building is scheduled to be demolished in March before construction begins on the new 78,500-square-foot center.
Other corporate sponsors of the cultural center, part of ArtsQuest's ReImagine That! Campaign were unveiled.
"... We're thrilled to assist ArtsQuest in continuing this proud legacy of innovation, transformation, and meaningful community impact here in the Southside Arts District and throughout the Lehigh Valley."PPL Foundation President Lissette Santana
The original factory was built in 1936 by Theodoredis and Sons Banana Company.
In the late 90s, ArtsQuest acquired the space and re-opened it as an arts and education hub in 1998.
"I grew up on the Southside at a time when the steel was still in operation," PPL Foundation president Lissette Santana said.
"Witnessing the smoke from those stacks give way to the bright lights shining down on concerts and festivals enjoyed by all is truly inspiring.
"And we're thrilled to assist ArtsQuest in continuing this proud legacy of innovation, transformation, and meaningful community impact here in the Southside Arts District and throughout the Lehigh Valley."
STEAM classes, green space
On Monday, news conference attendees learned more of what's to come in the cultural center, which is expected to be completed in 2026.
The Air Products Makerspace will house educational courses that offer programs in science, technology, engineering, art and STEAM related activities.
The Baker Lawn, sponsored by the Baker Foundation, will be a green space that will serve as an outdoor venue that will offer year-round programming.
According to ArtsQuest, it also will allow space for outdoor classrooms for its summer art camp and afterschool programming.
While the cultural center is under construction, ArtsQuest's after-school and summer camps will be housed in local schools and Bethlehem Public Library.
"We will bring more opportunities for our kids to achieve and make their dreams more of a reality."Bethlehem Area Schools Superintendent Jack Silva
After the SouthSide Singers, a chorus from Broughal Middle School, belted out a series of tunes in English and Spanish on Monday, Bethlehem School Superintendent Jack Silva spoke about the center's potential.
"I like to think of myself as an arts educator because I'm a firm believer that the arts benefit all students with so many positive effects for not only the students, but for our community," Silva, a 1989 Liberty High School graduate, said.
"We will bring more opportunities for our kids to achieve and make their dreams more of a reality."
Focus on education
With the new center, ArtsQuest hopes to double its growth. It said 5,000 to 10,000 more students will participate in the Creative Factory's programs.
In 2023, through the Bethlehem Area School District's Communications Career Pathways Program, ArtsQuest partnered with 10 school districts, along with private academies and institutions, to offer art-based school programming.
The five-story cultural center, which will house signage in English and Spanish, will futher expand ArtsQuest's youth programs such as ArtSmart, Teen Takeover, Marketing Musikfest and jazz band showcases.
According to Silva, in partnership with the Neighborhood Partnership Program, students may partake in Bethlehem School District's Arts and Communications career pathway.
"These students will actively engage in performance media programming, music production, communications, and other creative centerpieces along with a digital production lab" at the center, Silva said.
Honoring a daughter
One of its classrooms will be named the Angela René Pessina Classroom, after a former Pen Argyl Spanish teacher, Angela Pessina, who passed away in 2012.
Her parents, Michael and Shelley Pessina, will provide scholarships to students in honor of their daughter, an educator who was passionate about teaching.
" Angela was a beloved Spanish teacher at Pen Argyl High School and loved art," Shelley Pessina said. "She always took art lectures, so we thought this was a wonderful place to honor her memory."
Additionally, the cultural center will be home to the Yoeman Family Volunteer Center, sponsored by Chuck and Cindy Yoeman, longtime volunteers at Musikfest and other ArtsQuest events.
The cultural hub also will offer space for up-and-coming musicians.
The Martin Guitar Recording Studio, sponsored by Martin Guitar, will provide space for local and visiting musicians with space to record and work on projects in a dedicated space.
