ArtsQuest and Bethlehem Area Public Library Launch Digital Archive Honoring the Banana Factory’s Artistic Legacy

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. May 1, 2025 – ArtsQuest and the Bethlehem Area Public Library (BAPL) are proud to announce a collaborative effort to digitally preserve the vibrant and diverse artwork, photographs and media articles originally housed in the Banana Factory. As demolition begins on the building to make way for the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, this initiative ensures that the legacy and cultural significance of the Banana Factory will remain accessible to the public for generations to come.

“ArtsQuest is grateful to the Bethlehem Area Public Library for helping us celebrate and recognize the history of the Banana Factory through this robust digital project,” said Lisa Harms, ArtsQuest Sr. Director of Visual Arts and Education. “The archive includes everything from exhibition catalogs to brochures to high-resolution images of artwork, allowing the public to experience many different aspects of the Banana Factory’s significant role through a simple keyword search or just by browsing. We are also excited that this archive will be accessible to everyone in our community and beyond.”

The digital archive, hosted by Bethlehem Area Public Library, will showcase a comprehensive collection of past exhibits, postcards, press clippings and other materials that were featured throughout the Banana Factory’s history. This free resource will be available to the public and provide art lovers, students and researchers with a keyword-searchable way to explore the creative works that have shaped Bethlehem’s art scene.

“We are happy to preserve the unique history of the Banana Factory in digital form at the library. We’ve collected great photos of the exterior mosaics and sculptures, as well as a ton of interesting materials from inside the building,” said Josh Beck, Executive Director at Bethlehem Area Public Library. “The Banana Factory was a beloved space for creativity and community, and we’re proud to ensure that its legacy lives on through this digital archive.”

The digital archive is now live and can be accessed at https://omeka-s.bapl.org/s/Banana-factory-archives/page/welcome.

Preservation of Exterior Art:

Several notable art pieces formerly located at the Banana Factory are also being preserved and reimagined for future enjoyment:

• The Mr. Imagination Station bus shelter has been disassembled for partial re-installation at the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL as a feature for school field trips. This preservation plan for the bus shelter was developed in cooperation with the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission and the SouthSide Arts District.
• Homage to Humanity by Karel Mikolas and Joyful Experience by Susan Smalls will be moved to storage temporarily and then reinstalled at another location in Bethlehem.
• We will be preserving three glass-stained windows, created by Banana Factory founder Linny Fowler.

This partnership between ArtsQuest and BAPL preserves the physical and artistic legacy of the Banana Factory while also enhancing public access to the artwork and honoring its impact on Bethlehem’s rich cultural identity.

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 ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; 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, of which nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.