BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A gallery space and lounge at ArtsQuest's new cultural center will serve as a collaborative workspace for artists, students and the city's school groups.
On Tuesday, officials from B. Braun Medical Inc. announced a multi-year pledge to the gallery — part of the new 78,500-square-foot Artsquest Creative Factory at the old Banana Factory site — as part of ArtsQuest's Re-Imagine That! Campaign.
The creative space, named the "B. Braun Gallery & Lounge, Inspiring Multicultural Knowledge & Learning," will be housed on the fourth floor of the Creative Factory powered by PPL.
According to ArtsQuest, programming ideas for the space include a partnership with Bethlehem Area School District to include adult English programs, family workshops and other cultural learning opportunities.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to expanding access to the arts and empowering communities in the Lehigh Valley through creative expression," said Rob Albert, CEO of B. Braun of America Inc., in a news release.
About the Creative Factory
The Creative Factory will replace the recently razed Banana Factory Arts and Educational Center — a structure that was built in 1936.
The new building will house a recording studio, free galleries, a glass studio, 36 artist studios — a 20% increase from the Banana Factory — and a dedicated outdoor space.
Construction for the project, spearheaded by Boyle Construction, is expected to have a positive economic impact in the area by creating hundreds of construction jobs, according to ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert.
It will also be environmentally friendly, Hilgert said in June.
Funding for the project was made possible by public, private, and individual sources (the Re-Imagine That! campaign continues).
Completion is tentaively set for the second quarter of 2026. Construction is expected to take 12 to 14 months, officials have said.
