Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA, December 1, 2025 – ArtsQuest welcomes the community to First Friday on December 5, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. The event unites local artists with fresh talent through interactive events and live performances that create an energetic environment for artists and the community.
The night begins at 5:30 p.m. with the ArtSmart Exhibition Reception, making it possible for attendees to see new works by ArtsSmart students from the Bethlehem Area School District and celebrate their accomplishments. Immediately following, from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., ArtsQuest will present the Angela Rene Pessina Scholarship to a young artist whose work demonstrates ambition, talent and commitment to the arts.
From 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. guests can participate in hands-on art making with Teaching Artist Hailee Bloch. These activities are open to people of all skill levels, allowing them to experience creativity firsthand.
The ArtsQuest Center will have musical performances running continuously from start to finish. Parkland Strolling Strings are playing from 5:30 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. Then, Rock Steady will be at the Williams Brew Stage from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In addition to live music, visitors can look at inspiring works of art. Materia Medica, by Marissa Alise Baez, is on display in the Alvin H. Butz Gallery and on the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center. The piece explores themes of heritage, memory and healing through sculpture, performance and sound. Nearby, artwork from the Fall 2025 Teen Takeover Program highlights the inventiveness of local youth, offering a peek into the next generation’s artistic views.
Visit artsquest.org to learn more information about this event.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences, using arts and culture as drivers of economic development in our urban communities. ArtsQuest supports this mission through performing and visual arts, film, arts education and outreach, youth programming and a wide range of cultural events, anchored by signature venues and initiatives including its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, a centerpiece for the Valley’s artistic communities; the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks; and the LVHN, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, an adaptive reuse project expanding space for programming, festivals, private events and nationally touring exhibits. ArtsQuest welcomes more than 1.9 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of more than $143 million annually. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.