Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., February 20, 2026 – For the 16th year, ArtsQuest is transforming the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks into a living memorial honoring our hometown heroes. From May 22 to July 6, the campus will be draped with images of local military heroes as a display of appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifices and contributions.
ArtsQuest and Embassy Bank invite the public to submit photos of their family, neighbors and friends who have served or are serving in the military. Over the years, more than 1,800 images of local servicemen and women from all branches of the military have been on display to honor our hometown heroes.
“Since 2011, Embassy has proudly supported “Our Hometown Heroes” at SteelStacks,” said David M. Lobach, Chairman, President and CEO of Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley. “This program honors the courage and sacrifices of the men and women who have served our community and our country, while celebrating the spirit of service that unites the Lehigh Valley. By sharing their stories, we take pride in our neighbors, inspire future generations and strengthen the bonds that make our community truly special.”
ArtsQuest will accept the first 200 photos submitted with a deadline of March 31, 2026. Individuals can upload digital photos of their heroes starting March 1. Images must be a high-resolution JPEG, TIFF, bitmap or PDF file. Color or black-and-white photographs are accepted. Hard copies will be accepted at all Embassy Bank locations at the ArtsQuest Center at 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem. All hard copies will be returned promptly to the location where they were received.
Each submitted photo will be displayed on one of the “Our Hometown Heroes” banners on the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks and include the soldier’s rank, branch, dates of service and hometown. All images submitted in previous years will automatically be displayed as part of the “Our Hometown Heroes” display.
The “Our Hometown Heroes” banner will be displayed as part of the Memorial Day Celebration on May 23 – 25 at the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks, featuring live music and the “A Time to Remember” Ceremony. Additional details on the 2026 Memorial Day events and activities at SteelStacks will be available later this Spring.
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.