PRESS RELEASE

Lehigh Valley photographers Anthony and Florence Rodale will be exhibiting their photography at the Bethlehem Town Hall Rotunda Gallery from November 10 to December 17, 2021.  There will be an artist reception on Sunday, November 14 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.  The Rotunda Gallery is located at 10 E. Church Street.  Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.  Covid health precautions will be observed.

Florence Rodale is French by birth, American by choice. She is a self-taught photographer with a specialization in historical processes. Over the years, she has “sharpened her skills” by studying with renowned American master photographers. These experiences were determinant in shaping a personal look and feel for her work. Through the images she creates today, mostly via the use of pixels, she tries to translate her emotions, and her deep love and connection to nature. This series of images reflects the state of mind and the ins and outs of the brain fog she experienced during the early months of the pandemic. Through confusion and fear, beauty became the solution that gave her a sense of hope and a sense of order. Elements of nature juxtaposed with facial expressions or gestures convey her feelings, and, by association, she is able to steer herself towards clarity. She likes to think of these works as little visual poems that she can revisit time and time again and tell herself that everything is okay.

Anthony Rodale is a life-long photographer, endurance athlete, and international sustainability advocate.  He founded www.FitWild.com to bring all of his environmental, artistic, and sport passions together. Committed to social and environmental change projects, he has served on many non-profit boards.  Currently he is the Board Chair of the Sustainability Food Trust, based in Bristol, United Kingdom.  Deconstructing nature through his photography is a personal metaphysical journey in search of finding inner harmony and flow.  He uses these themes as sources to express being awake, fully alive and present, wherever he is.  The images in this exhibit are a part of an ongoing project, entitled “Harmony Run.”

The exhibition is sponsored by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission  and is presented in coordination with the ArtsQuest Annual InVision program.

Anthony and Florence Rodale

Anthony and Florence Rodale

Lehigh Valley photographers Anthony and Florence Rodale will be exhibiting their photography at the Bethlehem Town Hall Rotunda Gallery from November 10 to December 17, 2021.  There will be an artist reception on Sunday, November 14 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.  The Rotunda Gallery is located at 10 E. Church Street.  Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.  Covid health precautions will be observed.

Florence Rodale is French by birth, American by choice. She is a self-taught photographer with a specialization in historical processes. Over the years, she has “sharpened her skills” by studying with renowned American master photographers. These experiences were determinant in shaping a personal look and feel for her work. Through the images she creates today, mostly via the use of pixels, she tries to translate her emotions, and her deep love and connection to nature. This series of images reflects the state of mind and the ins and outs of the brain fog she experienced during the early months of the pandemic. Through confusion and fear, beauty became the solution that gave her a sense of hope and a sense of order. Elements of nature juxtaposed with facial expressions or gestures convey her feelings, and, by association, she is able to steer herself towards clarity. She likes to think of these works as little visual poems that she can revisit time and time again and tell herself that everything is okay.

Anthony Rodale is a life-long photographer, endurance athlete, and international sustainability advocate.  He founded www.FitWild.com to bring all of his environmental, artistic, and sport passions together. Committed to social and environmental change projects, he has served on many non-profit boards.  Currently he is the Board Chair of the Sustainability Food Trust, based in Bristol, United Kingdom.  Deconstructing nature through his photography is a personal metaphysical journey in search of finding inner harmony and flow.  He uses these themes as sources to express being awake, fully alive and present, wherever he is.  The images in this exhibit are a part of an ongoing project, entitled “Harmony Run.”

The exhibition is sponsored by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission and is presented in coordination with the ArtsQuest Annual InVision Festival.

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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For May 7 & 8, 2016
PRESS CONTACT: Sandy Gillen at jslbg2@verizon.net

The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission is pleased to announce their 51st Annual Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show. Held over Mother’s Day Weekend, the sidewalk art show along Main Street in Historic Bethlehem is a celebration of the finest local and regional artists. Over 80 juried artists and craft artisans participate each year in this two-day outdoor Fine Art Show.

 Judging takes place on Saturday. The judge visits each booth and selects the Best of Show, Second Prize, Third Prize, and Best Display. Prizes are awarded Saturday evening at a reception sponsored by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.

One of the delightful elements of the event each year is the Artist In Residence. Be sure to stop by Booth # 27 to observe the artist at work!

We invite families to take part in our Children’s Art Activities. Join in on fun interactive art projects, or make mom a handmade gift or card!

To complement the festivities, local musicians perform along the Show route. Enjoy acoustic tunes as you peruse the artist stalls along the way.

Visit the information booth to view this years special piece of art to be raffled during the Show! Please join us on Saturday, May 7th from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, May 8th from 11am to 5pm. In addition to this diverse art show, Bethlehem boasts great restaurants, shops, hotels, and a rich history. It’s a perfect opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a wonderful experience in Historic Downtown Bethlehem. AND there is no admission fee!

The Fine Art & Craft Show is sponsored and organized by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.

For more information on the Show, the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission and other upcoming
BFAC events, go to www.bfac-lv.org.

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2014 Tribute to the Arts Award Winners

2014 Tribute to the Arts Award Winners

 

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Dr. Neil Wetzel

Dr. Neil Wetzel is Associate Professor of Music and Hurd Chair for Art and Music at Moravian College (Bethlehem, PA). He also is the Director of Jazz Studies, directs the Moravian College BIG Band, and teaches saxophone. Having earned both a BM (Jazz Perf.) and MAT degrees from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he also completed a doctorate in music education (EdD) at Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

Locally, Dr. Wetzel comes in contact with scores of aspiring jazz students through his work with educational jazz programs. He has been an active adjudicator for academic music festivals (Music in the Parks and Cavalcade of Bands Jazz shows) and is the education coordinator for the SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase (presented by ArtsQuest), aired annually on WFMZ TV channel 69. He has also been guest conductor for PMEA District jazz bands, PMEA District 10 Intermediate Band, the Berks County All-Star High School Jazz Band, and the SteelStacks All-Star High School Jazz Band. He has been the director of Moravian College’s Summer Jazz Camp @ Moravian (SJC@M) since its inception. He is also a Pennsylvania Jazz Collective Artist and board member and chair of the group’s education committee.

 

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Café the Lodge is a great meeting place nestled in the heart of Southside, Bethlehem.  It provides great coffee and awesome food.   The Lodge puts an emphasis on creativity and the arts.  The mindfulness garden behind the café has beautiful murals that emphasize hope and recovery.  During the week the members gather for arts and craft classes.  Our Friday nights include Writers & Poets Nights, Open Mic Nights and Live Performers.  In addition on Saturday’s there is a drum circle and Open Mic afternoon for kids. 

The Lodge is a partnership between Northampton County Mental Health and Resources for Human Development that provides supported housing, employment and programming for persons with mental health challenges.  Come, enjoy the food and relaxed atmosphere and support a great cause.  The Café is a special Café with a special mission.  Learn more about the Lodge at www.TheLodge-rhd.org.  Check out our Cafe, review our menu and monthly calendar at www.cafethelodge.org

 

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Mary Wright 

Born to missionary parents in Rangoon, Burma, Mary led a fairly peripatetic life until moving to Bethlehem in 1997.  After studying theater in college and working around the country in professional theaters for several years she discovered the world of storytelling in a corner of Idaho.  Since then she has performed for more than 6,000 at schools, playgrounds, festivals, churches and in theaters.   

As a professional actress her roles have ranged from Laura in The Glass Menagerie to the silent clown character Little Red that she created for Touchstone Theatre’s Christmas City Follies.   As a storyteller she has performed in festivals locally, regionally and nationally. 

She has directed plays in Chicago, Boise, St. Petersburg, Philadelphia and Bethlehem. Locally, her work has been seen at Liberty High School, Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, Magnolia Theater and most recently, Touchstone Theatre’s acclaimed JOURNEY:  Dream of the Red Pavilion which she also wrote.

She has worked with Touchstone Theatre for more than ten years, and is currently an Ensemble Associate and responsible for their Young Playwrights’ Lab program.  For the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, she teaches acting in the Senior Conservatory and directs.  Mary is a founding member and current Board member of the Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild.  Eight years ago she co-founded the non-profit Friends of Liberty Theatre to help support and enhance the theater arts at Liberty High School, as well as provide enrichment and educational opportunities for students interested in theater.  She served on the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission and the Lehigh Valley Arts Council artist advisory group.

She became a rostered teaching artist for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in 2007.  Her work in arts-based residencies have ranged from pre-k through college. 

She resides in Bethlehem with her husband, and when not involved in artistic pursuits of one kind or another can be found out in her garden or experimenting with a new bread recipe.

 

Canals and Waterways of Bethlehem Paint Out

Canals and Waterways of Bethlehem Paint Out

 
1st Place: Steve Russell – “Monocacy Park” Oil
2nd Place: Sheila O’Connell “Misty Morning II” Photo
3rd Place: Bernie Tyler “Scenic View of the Lehigh River
Honorable Mention: Li-Shen Price “Walk Along Sand Island
Honorable Mention: Ed Brazee “Monocacy Creek at Historic Bethlehem” Oil
 
The upcoming show of Canals and Waterways of Bethlehem will be held at the Bethlehem City Rotunda Tuesday, April 1, 2014 through April 27th with the artists’ reception from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on the 27th. And the winners are… 
 
Local and visiting artists are invited to participate for a fun day of painting and/or photography of Bethlehem’s beautiful canals and waterways on September 21, 2013. Artists are encouraged to focus on the various locations: the Monacacy Creek, Saucon Creek, Lehigh Canal, Lehigh River, and any other water areas in Bethlehem.
 
An exhibition of this finished art will be held at the Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda during the month of April, 2014. Prizes will be awarded.
 
Date: There is no rain-date and no specific time for artwork to be produced. We encourage you to work on September 21st showing community and collaborative effort. Artists may return on another day to complete their work.
 
Registration: Each artist wishing to participate must mail check of money order for $25.00, payable to “BFAC” along with registration form to:
BFAC
Canals and Waterways of Bethlehem Paint Out
P.O. Box 1851
Bethlehem, PA 18016
 
49th Annual Fine Art and Craft Show

49th Annual Fine Art and Craft Show

49th Annual Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For May 10 & 11, 2014
PRESS CONTACT: Sandy Gillen at jslbg2@verizon.net

 

The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission is pleased to announce their 49th Annual Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show. Held over Mother’s Day Weekend, the side-walk show along Main Street in Historic Bethlehem is a celebration of the finest local and regional artists. Over 90 juried artists and craft artisans are welcomed each year in this two-day outdoor Fine Art Show.  

Read More > 49th Annual Bethlehem Fine Arts and Craft Show