BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley's artists, educators and community advocates took center stage Thursday night as the ArtsQuest Foundation celebrated the 2025 Linny Awards.
The annual event, named in memory of philanthropist and arts champion Linny Fowler, honored individuals and organizations whose work has an impact on cultural life.
The event brought together leaders across the arts to recognize creativity, mentorship and community engagement.
The 2025 Linny Award honorees are Thomas Riddle, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award; Chuck Stehly, honored with the Philanthropy in the Arts Award; and the PPL Foundation, recognized as Business Supporter of the Arts.
Also, Jacob Morrow was chosen Emerging Artist of the Year, while Mallory Zondag earned Visual Artist of the Year.
MaryJo Rosania-Harvie received the Arts Educator of the Year, and Matt Pfeiffer was recognized as the Performing Artist of the Year.
The Student Artist Scholarship Award went to Todd Croslis, and Jada Amirah Lewis was celebrated as Volunteer of the Year.
'Accept new possibilities'
Lewis, one of the youngest honorees of the evening, was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award for her leadership and service through Amari’s Hope Hydroponic Garden, a youth-led nonprofit she founded in 2009 to fight food insecurity and promote sustainable agriculture.
A Liberty High School student dually enrolled at Northampton Community College, Lewis has logged more than 5,000 volunteer hours.
She also has gotten national recognition from UNICEF USA and the President’s Volunteer Service Award — both in 2019 — and a lifetime achievement in 2020 in recognition of her “exemplary leadership in acts of service."
"Ten years ago, when I was only 6 years old, I had a vivid memory of me drawing on the floor of a very small apartment," Lewis said.
"My mom was in the kitchen cooking and talking on the phone. I went to show her my drawing, and she praised it, but didn't necessarily notice what it was until after dinner, when I went to bed."
The drawing of rainbow juice blended "with different compartments" for each fruit eventually grew into her interest in sustainable farming, she said.
"I always knew I wanted to do something that helped people, but I'm sure a six-year-old me could have never imagined that the little light bulb moment would've ignited such a claim,Jada Amirah Lewis
"I always knew I wanted to do something that helped people," she said. "But I'm sure a 6-year-old me could have never imagined that the little light bulb moment would've ignited such a claim.
“Me and my 6-year-old self became the inventor and founder of our own nonprofit. I’ve gained this award because I wasn’t shot down — because people believed in me.”
Tying into Lewis' thoughts, Arts Educator of the Year Rosania-Harvie, assistant professor of art and art education coordinator at Moravian University, reflected on the importance of diversity and "compassion" in the arts.
“Without the ability to accept new and different possibilities and ideas, the world would be pretty bare,” she said.
"We need to stay empathetic. We have the power to create this space for each other, and I am humbled and honored to do this with all of you here tonight.”
'World-class art right here'
For Pfeiffer, who was honored as Performing Artist of the Year, the award recognizes more than two decades of work with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University, where he has directed and performed in productions.
Pfeiffer, who also graduated from DeSales University, credited the festival’s founder, The Rev. Gerard Schubert, for laying the groundwork for professional classical theater in the region.
“When [Schubert] founded the festival, there was no real classical theater here,” Pfeiffer said.
“Now, to see what it’s become — an organization that brings Shakespeare to high school students and into community centers and parks — it’s remarkable.”
The Linny Award underscores the growing strength of the region’s arts scene, Pfeiffer said.
"A community feels more valued when local artisans and theater makers are doing work in their own backyard,” he said.
“People don’t have to go to New York or Philadelphia to experience world-class art. The Lehigh Valley has it right here.”
Tribute to dad
In a sweet moment, Riddle's daughters, Erika Petrozelli and Jennifer Ward, presented their father with his Lifetime Achievement Award.
Riddle, founder and chairman of Valley National Financial Advisors, has served as a financial professional for more than 40 years while volunteering with the ArtsQuest Foundation, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
“It’s a true joy and honor to recognize someone we not only look up to, but love,” one of his daughters said.
Additionally, Stehly, recipient of the Philanthropy in the Arts Award, was recognized for his commitment to supporting local arts initiatives and his volunteer leadership across the Lehigh Valley’s cultural institutions.
ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert praised Stehly’s dedication to ensuring access to the arts for all.
"Chuck is the person, in the best way possible, who doesn’t leave fingerprints," Hilgert said. "He just makes an impact, and that’s what he does every single day.
"I am honored to know him. We are honored to have him as part of our organization."
Stehly said he was humbled to receive an award named in honor of Linny Fowler — a philanthropist he deeply admired.
“Linny believed in lifting others through creativity and compassion,” he said.
“To be recognized in her name is something I’ll always treasure.”
Also at the 2025 Linny Awards: PPL Foundation received this year’s Business Supporter of the Arts Award for its leadership role in helping bring the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL Foundation to life.
Thenew five-story cultural centerwill house a recording studio, free galleries, a glass studio, 36 artist studios — a 20% increase from the Banana Factory — and a dedicated outdoor space.
For information on ArtsQuest Foundation and the Linny Awards, visit ArtsQuest's awards page.
