5 Minutes with Ellen Lifschutz, FCI – The Language Experts

By Kimberly Koehler, Sponsorship Specialist

ArtsQuest provides access to the arts for all with over 4,000 programs, classes and events to communities throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. Working with partners like FCI – The Language Experts, helps ArtsQuest to reach our diverse communities by transcribing our messaging into several languages. We recently caught up with Ellen Lifschutz at FCI – The Language Experts about their organization’s commitment to ArtsQuest.

AQ: Can you tell us more about your organization and
how you got involved with ArtsQuest

EL: FCI – The Language Experts is a full-service translation and interpretation company dedicated to breaking language barriers and facilitating communication across diverse communities. Our journey began with a passion for bridging gaps between people of different cultures and languages and we provide top-notch linguistic solutions tailored to the individual needs of our clients. We were thrilled to get involved with ArtsQuest and our partnership stems from a shared dedication to promoting inclusivity and cultural
appreciation.

AQ: As a fairly new partner of ArtsQuest, what is your
favorite ArtsQuest event or programming?

EL: Having served the Lehigh Valley since 1999, we have been familiar with the work of ArtsQuest for quite some time. Many of our team members are Lehigh Valley residents, and while we are fond of all events and programming that we have seen so far from ArtsQuest, a long-time favorite is Musikfest! We’ve also greatly enjoyed ArtsQuest’s pop-up events for sports celebrations, showcasing the excitement of sports but also emphasizing unity and cultural diversity among our community.

AQ: FCI – The Language Experts provides a vast amount of translation and linguistic services. How many languages do you provide to customers?

EL: We take pride in offering a comprehensive array of linguistic services and customized solutions to meet the needs of our clients. We provide translation and interpretation services in over 1,200 languages and dialects, ensuring that language is never a barrier to effective communication.

AQ: What are some other initiatives and community programs FCI – The Language Experts is involved with?

EL: We are actively involved in various initiatives and community programs aimed at promoting language accessibility and cultural exchange. Some of our endeavors include collaborating with schools and nonprofit organizations to provide language support services, participating in outreach events to raise awareness about language diversity and inclusion and sponsoring cultural festivals that celebrate the rich tapestry of languages and traditions within our communities.

AQ: Why should other organizations use your
services?

EL: We are committed to inclusivity; specializing in rare and endangered languages, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to receive information in their preferred language and with an expansive, global team of language specialists, we have the expertise to handle even the most specialized needs with precision and care.

Reward Milestone Spotlight

Starting this year, we would like to showcase every month our volunteers who have hit a new hour milestone. From the start of the year to the end of March, the volunteers listed below have reached a new reward milestone!

Please congratulate these volunteers for all their dedication and work they have spent here with us and other volunteers:

Carol Shriver (1)750

Tom McPeek 1000

Miriam Pitkoff 500

Congratulations!

New Volunteers March 2024

March 2024 is here and we gratefully continue to receive applications from volunteers looking for opportunities with ArtsQuest.

 A very hearty welcome to each one of the below volunteers. ArtsQuest is what it is because of our strong volunteer community, and that community only gets stronger with each new person we add. We are happy to bring you into the family and look forward to working with you even more!   

Tony Melendez

Noralivelis Ortiz Torres

Aidan Ott

March Volunteer Spotlight

Each month, our volunteer committee decides on volunteers to spotlight. For March 2024, the volunteer committee selected Daniel Wessner! Daniel began his ArtsQuest volunteer journey in 2018 at Musikfest. Since then, he has volunteered every year at Musikfest as well as Christkindlmarkt starting in 2022. He always has a smile on his face, and we love having him as one of our volunteer! Thank you for your happy energy and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Q: What is your favorite memory from volunteering?
A: Driving the orange ArtsQuest van and delivering the Musikfest mugs to all of the platzes.

Q: Tell us something about you that most people don’t know!
A: I am a trained weather spotter for the National Weather Service. 

Q: What is your favorite part of volunteering at ArtsQuest?
A: I enjoy being behind the scenes and learning about all of the different aspects of what needs to be done to put together the various festivals and then playing a part in making them a success. 

Q: If you could pick any act to play on the main stage at Musikfest, who would you pick and why?    
A:Throwing a curveball by diving into a genre not normally associated with the main stage at Musikfest and selecting Yo-Yo Ma. I’ve been fortunate to see most of my favorite musical acts in concert but I have never seen Yo-Yo Ma. He is a master cellist and it would be a pleasure to hear him live. 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time when you’re not volunteering?
A: I like to stay active. I enjoy hiking especially the trails throughout the Delaware Water Gap and I like to bike along the D & L Trail. I am also an avid baseball card collector.

ArtsQuest Announces the Hiring of Timothy McNair, CPA as its New Chief Financial Officer

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA – April 1, 2024 – ArtsQuest has hired Timothy McNair, CPA as the organization’s first Chief Financial Officer. Mr. McNair brings a wealth of financial knowledge and experience to the non-profit organization.

Prior to joining ArtsQuest, Mr. McNair most recently held financial and business leadership roles with B&B Custom Pools Inc., BRD Noise & Vibration Control and C.F. Martin & Co. He also served as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Lehigh University. He earned his CPA at Price Waterhouse in Philadelphia and returned home to the Lehigh Valley as a financial analyst at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

“I am thrilled to be part of the ArtsQuest team. ArtsQuest has been dedicated to economic transformation of the region through the arts and cultural events,” said Timothy McNair, Chief Financial Officer. “Having attended many events with my family, I appreciate the dedication of this team to providing diverse learning and sharing opportunities through so many artistic and creative experiences.”

Mr. McNair received his BA in Accounting from Franklin & Marshall College and his MBA in Finance from Lehigh University College of Business. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Bear Creek Camp and Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. He is a former Board Trustee & Treasurer from The Baum School of Art as well as a Minsi Trails Council Finance Committee Member.

“We are so excited to have Timothy McNair join our organization,” said Kassie Hilgert, President & CEO of ArtsQuest. “Tim will be a great addition to our team and he will be a tremendous resource in helping us achieve sustainable and responsible growth for our organization and ultimately for the communities in which we serve.”

About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Written by: Saige Sufrin

The life of Lauren Beck has always beamed with creativity and curiosity. During the formative years of Lauren’s childhood, she was raised in a home that strongly encouraged artistic development. With her father being a photographer and her mother a teaching speech therapist, both parents identified Lauren’s deep appreciation for art early on. With this, they nurtured her creative gifts by supplying her with art supplies and class opportunities. Once in elementary school, Lauren was swept up in admiration of the intricate, hand-drawn animation style of Disney films from the turn of the century, and the unique imagery of children’s author Jan Brett. These whimsical worlds and stories made her wonder if being an animator was a career she wanted to pursue as an adult. Eventually, she pieced together that animating wasn’t what really intrigued her the most, and what did was storyboarding and illustration. As Lauren continued to evolve with her craft, the thrill of learning became an omnipresent force in her life. Eventually, so much so that she would graduate from Kutztown University with an Arts Education degree. This passion for education stemmed from the power of human connection through creativity.

Lauren can be found exploring this notion at the Banana Factory where she brings her positivity to teaching in the classroom. As an artist-in residence at the Banana Factory, Lauren has been focused on plugging away at her latest project, a mural reflecting the illustrations of the poster art she created for this years’ 41st Musikfest. When not working on the mural, Lauren has been developing summer camp material around illustration and animation. With this upcoming camp project, she also balances her time getting ready to teach afterschool programming with ArtSmart and a Musikfest specific poster design class for Teen Takeover. Although Lauren is quite occupied, balancing her roles as a mom, a wife, an educator, friend and artist, I had the pleasure of diving into her world to talk about the Musikfest poster artwork process. This creative operation involved her most recent discovery of the power of gouache, as she used it to maintain painterly strokes that would have the ability to be transferred digitally without losing the physical look of paint. Through this process, Lauren would paint, transfer the image to her iPad in the app Procreate and go back and forth through this process countless times until she felt her vision was accurately represented.

When asked about her vision, Lauren said, “I wanted to make something that the community could resonate with, but also that felt like me.”

She told me she listened to a ton of music from Icelandic post rock group Sigur Rós during this process, and it checked out. Both Lauren’s art and Sigur Rós’ music have complex layers of comforting whimsy within their works; no wonder the music paired so well to her creative journey. Each section of her poster is thoughtfully layered in a way that
animates her forms with each paint stroke, bringing the viewer a powerful sense of comfort.

Reflecting on how she got to this result, Lauren shared stories about how her curiosity of space had impacted this artwork. At home, she and her children sit together outdoors to gaze at the stars frequently; however, in a recent trip to Iceland with her husband, Lauren saw the Northern Lights in person. This moment was especially moving as she felt compelled to express the unexplainable emotions this amazing sight evoked. Next time you gaze at this year’s Musikfest poster, know that you will be met by the warm embrace of Lauren’s comforting moon character as the constellations dance around the City of Bethlehem.

No matter where you might be, we all share the beauty of experiencing the same night sky as it evolves into different forms. With Lauren’s love for learning and connecting with the community through art education, she aims to share her passion for education further this year. She hopes to offer more opportunities for people to learn beside her through illustration, animation and poster design classes as the Banana Factory prepares to transform into the new Cultural Center.

Click here for Lauren’s upcoming art classes…

…And enjoy a playlist of her favorite music!

The Future ArtsQuest Cultural Center to Receive Federal Funding for Multimodal Transportation Project

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., April 2, 2024 – ArtsQuest is thrilled to announce that it will be a recipient of the Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant that will incorporate important safety initiatives in and around the future ArtsQuest Cultural Center. Thanks to the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, Senator Lisa Boscola and Representative Steve Samuelson, Northampton County and ongoing support from the public sector, we are one step closer to accomplishing that goal.

The Multimodal Transportation Fund was created to promote and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the community. To improve pedestrian safety, the grant will go towards upgrades like installing and updating sidewalks and curbing, adding ADA accessible ramps, enhanced street lighting, a corner crosswalk and streetscape amenities will be considered for this project. Safe and inviting streetscapes may help reduce local automobile traffic by encouraging people to walk to their destinations, thereby improving public health, stimulating local economic activity and attracting residents and visitors to the South Bethlehem community.

“We are extremely grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from so many – government officials, businesses, donors and others in the public sector,” commented Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO. “Making sure that all individuals can safely enter and exit the new Cultural Center is an important factor and having safer access will help to draw even more people to our new facility dedicated to the arts and culture. Access to the arts for all is a team effort, especially when it comes to roadways, sidewalks and other infrastructure.”

The new Cultural Center is projected to be a 5-story, 78,500 SF state-of-the-art educational hub that will provide new and expanded arts-based programming for all ages, a Communications Pathway partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District, black box theater, official venue space for comedic performances and classes, additional artist studios, modern gallery space, dedicated meeting and entertainment space and additional amenities. It has a projected economic impact to bring approximately 600 jobs and $60 million (construction and programming combined) to the Lehigh Valley.

The estimated start date of construction is early April 2025, with an expected completion date of mid-October 2026.

About ArtsQuest

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

ArtsQuest President and CEO, Kassie Hilgert Awarded with Lehigh Valley Business Power 100 List

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA – March 25, 2024 – ArtsQuest is thrilled to announce that Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO has been selected by Lehigh Valley Business as one of the region’s power players for their annual Power 100 List.

This list is composed of the area’s most significant, influential and respected leaders, as well as behind-the-scenes changemakers in their fields. The honorees are chosen by the editorial leadership team at Lehigh Valley Business, with some help from readers and others for input and perspective.

“I am honored and humbled to be included in the Lehigh Valley Business Power 100 list,” said Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. “I accept this award on behalf of each and every one of our team members. From staff to volunteers to partners and members, we truly believe in the mission of providing access to the arts for all. Whether it’s a Musikfest headliner, free shows at the Levitt Pavilion, a weeklong youth summer camp at The Banana Factory or an Improv comedy show at the Visitor Center, art-based programming helps to shape our communities, drive economic development and instill pride in the many cultures that call the Lehigh Valley home.”

The LVB Power 100 list featuring Kassie Hilgert is available today, please visit lvb.com to view the entire Power 100 List.

By Amber Kalnas, PR Intern and ArtsQuest Staff

Ever wonder how ArtsQuest can host so many successful events (large, small and everything in between) all year round? The answer is simple – our amazing and dedicated volunteers. From Musikfest – the largest non-gated music festival in the country, to Christkindlmarkt – which welcomed recordbreaking attendees this past holiday season, to our concerts in the Musikfest Café and all of the programming we offer, it is our volunteers that keep these events going year in and year out. And it’s easy to say that we’ve created a special connection with them, as many have been with our organization for years, even decades. In fact, this past Musikfest we celebrated our 40th year anniversary and we also celebrated a dozen 40 year volunteers. Talk about dedication! These individuals come back year after year and they range in age from teens to senior citizens. Our volunteers come together for the community and play an important role in making special memories for people from throughout the country and beyond who come to enjoy a concert, a comedy show, a festival, an exhibit and more.

“Personally, I think volunteerism is getting involved in something that you’re passionate about, getting out in the community and trying to make a difference through that passion,” said Cory Stevens, Volunteer Program Manager at ArtsQuest. “It goes beyond what is required of you to pay your bills and move your life forward. It’s the equivalent of having gratitude and wanting to pay it forward in the lives of others; volunteerism helps achieve that.”

ArtsQuest has an arsenal of about 1,500 active volunteers and their duties can range from ticket scanning to beer pouring, ushering attendees to their seats to operational set-up and even helping backstage at Musikfest headliner shows. They often act as customer service agents and get to know the ins and outs of the organization and campus extremely well.

To show appreciation for volunteers, ArtsQuest provides volunteers with a Reward Program that offers free tickets to the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema, the Musikfest Cafe and the Wind Creek Steel Stage Musikfest headliners. Each reward is distributed by milestones that vary from 100 to 1,000 hours. Further, there are raffles, giveaways and recognition events that take place throughout the year. “It really can’t be understated that if you put the right energy into it, you’ll also walk away with new friends who could quickly grow into friends for life,” continued Stevens. “Our volunteer opportunities are great resume builders, provide ample experience in retail, leadership and customer service and allow volunteers to be part of a long-standing Bethlehem tradition.”

“Volunteering at its core is about giving back to your community in doing what you love,” commented Parker Ryan, Volunteer Program Assistant Manager at ArtsQuest. “And honestly, that is a big part of ArtsQuest; we want programming, events and initiatives to align with what our community looks like and embodies. Many ideas and events are fostered from the voices and thoughts of volunteers coming out to help.”

ArtsQuest’s commitment to providing access to the arts for all would never be possible without the dedication, generosity and love for community that our volunteers provide. If you would like to become a volunteer and make a difference in your local community while having fun and forming new friendships visit www.artsquest.org/volunteer. The minimum age to volunteer at ArtsQuest is 15, however, if you’re younger, you can still volunteer as long as you are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Certain positions, like ushering or alcohol pouring are reserved for age appropriate volunteers.

Check out what current volunteers had to say about their volunteer experience at ArtsQuest’s vibrant community:

Susan Stachowski

14 yrs. of volunteering

ArtsQuest is one of the first big sponsorships that my company focused on. And it was my responsibility to work events and get volunteers from Wind Creek to make a difference. I would encourage everybody, from 18-96 years old, to volunteer with ArtsQuest; everything is fun and enjoyable. They have the means to work with you on what you would like to do , and there are so many options. the camaraderie with the guests and the volunteers makes each night or event here enjoyable for everybody.

Emily Heesen

33 yrs. of volunteering

ArtsQuest is what saved Bethlehem, If it wasn’t for them, we would be looking at dilapidated and falling down steel stacks. As a community member of Bethlehem, I really enjoy giving back; it’s rewarding to give back to my community. I feel ArtsQuest is integral to Bethlehem, adding to the scene entertainment and the arts. Why not volunteer here? You walk away with so much enrichment.

Kim Letourneau

25 yrs. of volunteering

I have volunteered at Musikfest and Christkindlmarkt. Volunteering with ArtsQuest is a family affair, both my children and husband are a part of it, too. Christkindlmarkt adds joy to the Christmas season; my children used to call it Christmas town. ArtsQuest greatly enhances the community, it’s fun and creates a good sense of purpose for me which is to be a good community person.

To learn more about volunteering with ArtsQuest this season please visit here

SangriaFest Upper Macungie is back in Summer 2024

Bethlehem, PA, March 6, 2024 – ArtsQuest is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of SangriaFest on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Grange Park in Upper Macungie, PA from 4 to 7 p.m. with premium access from 3 to 4 p.m. (Rain date Sunday, June 16, 1-5 p.m.). This event is in partnership with Upper Macungie Township and presented by Service Electric Cable TV & Communications along with ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages LLC, Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Stony Run Winery and Vynecrest Vineyard & Winery. We invite you to come out for an afternoon full of food, music, fun and of course – sangria!

Tickets are on sale now at ArtsQuest.org and we are once again offering ‘early bird’ pricing for ArtsQuest Members, premium access and the general public. (Early bird pricing ends March 17 at 11:59 p.m.) Additionally, tickets are limited with no guarantee that they will be available at the door, so get your tickets today.

Premium Access tickets range from $64 to $79, allowing early access from 3 to 4 p.m. to enjoy FOUR additional exclusive sangrias (16 in total), catered food, a private bar, air-conditioned restrooms and premium access parking. General admission ticket prices range from $29 to $44 and will include UNLIMITED samples of 12 different sangrias from Clover Hill, Franklin Hill, Stony Run Winery and Vynecrest wineries, musical entertainment including bands and a DJ and access to a variety of food trucks and vendors and lawn games.

“We are thrilled to continue the success of SangriaFest for another year here at Grange Park in Upper Macungie” said Emily Crosby-Piszczek, Recreation Supervisor. “This event continues to expand, and we are so excited to see what this year’s festival has in store. We love when our community comes together for a day filled with fun!”

“Last year’s SangriaFest was a great success, and we are hoping this year’s will be even more amazing,” said Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer. “We are grateful for our partnership with Upper Macungie Township and their commitment to bringing arts-based programming to this community through a variety of festivals and events.”

About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, approximately 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.