ArtsQuest Announces Return of FREE Fall Visual Arts & Education Programs: Toddler Storytime, ALL ACCESSible Tours, Teen Takeover and First Fridays!

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., September 4, 2025 – ArtsQuest is excited to announce the return of three FREE education programs this fall:

Toddler Storytime, beginning September 4
ALL ACCESSible Tours, returning September 4
Teen Takeover Program, launching October 7

Plus, it’s the return of the monthly First Friday events returning September 5. Designed to make the arts accessible for all ages, these programs bring together families and the community at the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks.

Beginning September 4 at 10 a.m., toddlers and caregivers are invited to a weekly 30-minute program at the Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health, celebrating the joy of picture books through reading, singing and movement. A partnership between ArtsQuest and the Bethlehem Public Library, Toddler Storytime runs through early June with special bilingual/Spanish sessions every second Thursday of the month.

The ALL ACCESSible program invites participants to experience art in new ways through the Sensory Art/Living Art Exhibition and Touch Collection, featuring interactive fiber pieces by artist Mallory Zondag. Created specifically for individuals who benefit from a hands-on approach, the collection encourages touching, wearing and manipulating the artwork. The program, located at the Bethlehem Area Public Library and the Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health, is free with reservations required.

The Teen Takeover program is a free program that gives Lehigh Valley teens the chance to explore careers in the arts through workshops with professional artists, hands-on classes in the visual arts and opportunities to curate and create content. The program culminates in a Teen Takeover event, designed and held by participants. Community service hours are also available. Register for the Teen Takeover program here!

The fall season kicks off with First Friday on Friday, September 5 from 6-9 p.m. at the ArtsQuest Center, part of the SouthSide Arts District’s monthly First Friday events. September’s event features:

– Live Music: Planet Infamy performs free from 6-7:15 p.m. on the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square.

– Exhibition: Mallory Zondag: What Lies Between Us, Located in the Alvin H. Butz Gallery and ArtsQuest Center First Floor.

– Free Art-Making: Hands-on activities on the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center.

-Wine’d Down Workshop: Autumn Watercolor and Ink Painting with Rachel Cavotta (ticketed).

-First Friday Pop-up Art Market: Local artists showcase and sell their work, featuring September vendors: Nick Malcom, Francesca Malozi, Nicholas Harville, Lisa Beightol and Renee Rozaieski.

“We are happy to be able to continue our free programs without pausing during the construction,” said Joanne Garcia, Manager of Education & PCA Programs at ArtsQuest. “Our partnership with the Bethlehem Area Public Library has been fantastic in bringing in more families to enjoy Toddler Storytime. This program along with ALL ACCESSible and Teen Takeover provide art-enrichment experience for all ages, and we are looking forward to another great season.”

All three programs are free to attend. For more information or to reserve a spot in an upcoming program, visit artsquest.org or email jgarcia@artsquest.org.

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.