Arts

In the last year and a half, Allentown School District spent more than $1.4 million on new instruments and hired 34 educators to teach the related arts, which include band, choir and orchestra, among others.

The Banana Factory's yard sale is nearly over. Shoppers found plenty of marked down art supplies, furniture, and other items for the savvy bargain hunter.

"Liberty and Justice for All" a new exhibition at the Ronald K. DeLong Gallery, features the works of Charles Stonewall, David Gothrad and mixed-media artist Christina "Tina" Galbiati. The three creatives are also adjunct instructors at the university.

Star of Raising Dion Ja'Siah Young will be honored with the Easton Recognition Award in Centre Square this weekend.

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the Allentown Art Museum this week installed on its windows on 5th Street vinyl representations of popular works from its collections.

Meet the man behind Hotel Bethlehem's Christmas display: Anthony Sierra's vision comes to life in this sprawling, multiroom display that pays homage to the Christmas city.

Popular Celtic groups, Christmas Vespers, the Allentown Symphony and church choirs help spread holiday cheer this December in the Lehigh Valley.

The Peace Candle is 106 feet tall. It was first built and lit in 1951 to honor the families who lost loved ones in World War II.

Based on themes of home in the Lehigh Valley and executed via improvisation on the piano, former Nazareth native Dominic Billett's new record “Truer is the Valley, the River, the Pale Sky" paints a thoughtful, vivid picture perfect for walks throughout the region.

"New Conversations: Renaissance and Baroque Art" opens on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the museum located at 31 N. Fifth Street.

The 4th Annual International Cultural Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16, will feature handcrafts, performances and food from a diverse range of cultures around the globe.

The eighth Martin's Guitar Wood Summit was held Thursday at Martin & Co. in Nazareth. The main topic centered on sustainability of forests that provide wood used for guitar construction.

Workers battled oppressive heat while breaking down venues at the recently concluded 171st Allentown Fair on Tuesday, Final attendance figure for the six-day festival is expected to be released by next week.

Five public schools and two charter schools made the list of the Top 100 high schools in Pennsylvania, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Dr. Lee Riley treats cancers at St. Luke’s University Health Network, but in his free time, he sculpts. He is the recipient of ArtsQuest’s Linny Award for Visual Artist of the Year.

The Macungie family has other notable works around the Lehigh Valley and tri-state area, including the artwork for the most recent Musikfest.

A group of young artists, under the tutelage of muralist and teaching artist Matt Halm, took to the Lehigh Valley International Airport Friday to work on a brand new mural, allowing the kids to exercise their creativity and skills while appreciating public art.

The 30th anniversary of Lehigh Valley Pride will be highlighted at a festival on Sunday at Bethlehem's SteelStacks campus. The event will include food, vendors and drag performances, as well as many other activities.

The 40th Musikfest drew to a successful close on Sunday night in Bethlehem. The nation's largest open-gate free music festival delivered more than 500 free performances, plus paid-ticket headliners. Organizers believe a record of roughly 1.25 million attended the 11-day event. An official count is expected to be announced Tuesday.

Participants can learn to hand-blow a glow-in-the-dark jellyfish orb or paperweight.

Opening ceremonies for the 40th Musikfest were held on Friday evening. The nation's largest open-gate music festival will continue through Aug. 13 in south Bethlehem.

As Musikfest kicks off next week, some notable figures in its history shared their perspectives on the humble beginnings and what it's become. Join in the action in Bethlehem from Aug. 3-13.