Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA, October 16, 2026 – The Lehigh Valley’s vibrant arts community took center stage Thursday evening as the ArtsQuest Foundation celebrated the 10th Anniversary Linny Awards presented by Elaine Emrick, honoring nine individuals and organizations whose creativity, generosity and commitment to the arts continue to make a lasting impact across the region.
Held in the Musikfest Café at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, the milestone celebration brought together artists, educators, business and community leaders, benefactors and supporters of the arts, for an evening of recognition, live performances and philanthropy.
Named in honor of the late Marlene “Linny” Fowler, a beloved Bethlehem philanthropist and tireless advocate for the arts, the Linny Awards recognize the individuals and organizations whose dedication has helped shape the Lehigh Valley’s thriving cultural landscape. Elaine Emrick has served as the awards’ title sponsor since 2024, helping sustain and elevate the program’s impact.
“This year’s Linny Awards presented by Elaine Emrick was especially significant as we celebrated a decade of recognizing the remarkable individuals and organizations who make the Lehigh Valley such a vibrant place to live, work and create,” said Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. “From artists and educators to volunteers, business leaders and philanthropists, our honorees represent the very best of our community. Their creativity, generosity and commitment to making the arts accessible to all continue to inspire us, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate their extraordinary contributions.”
Celebrating the 2026 Linny Award Honorees
The evening recognized nine award recipients across a range of artistic disciplines and areas of community support, including the inaugural Culinary Artist of the Year award, introduced this year to recognize the creativity and artistry of chefs and culinary professionals.
The 2026 Linny Award recipients and their presenters were:
- Lifetime Achievement – Ashley Russo, presented by Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. An Emmy Award-winning media entrepreneur, storyteller and community leader, Russo was recognized for her contributions to the region’s creative industry and her longstanding commitment to philanthropy and community engagement.
- Philanthropy in the Arts – Michael and Michele Pessina, presented by Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. The Pessinas were honored for their generosity and commitment to expanding access to arts education, including their support of the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL in memory of their daughter, Angela René Pessina. Their contributions include the Angela René Pessina Classroom, scholarship support and bilingual signage throughout the new facility.
- Business Supporter of the Arts – C.F. Martin & Co., presented by Allison Quinn, Corporate Relations & Employee Communications Manager of Air Products. The iconic guitar manufacturer was recognized for its longstanding commitment to supporting the arts and cultural community. Thomas Ripsam, President & CEO of C.F. Martin & Co., accepted the award.
- Culinary Artist of the Year – Chef Will Rufe, presented by Dr. David A. Ruth, President of Northampton Community College. The inaugural recipient of this award, Rufe serves as Culinary Operations Chef for the Culinary Arts Program at Northampton Community College, where he shares his passion for international cuisine and culinary education with aspiring chefs. His career includes experience at acclaimed Lehigh Valley restaurants such as Bolete, Ocean and River Grille, and his commitment to the community extends to partnerships with local farms, mentoring future culinary professionals and serving as Vice President of the Bethlehem Area Public Library board..
- Visual Artist of the Year – Katie Hovencamp, presented by Lisa Harms, Vice President of Visual Arts and Education at ArtsQuest. A Lehigh Valley-based artist and educator, Hovencamp creates multidisciplinary works spanning sculpture, performance, drawing, installation and video that challenge cultural perceptions of gender, beauty and identity. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe and Asia and is represented in collections including Lehigh University Art Galleries and Mana Contemporary.
- Arts Educator of the Year – Tiffany Anderson, presented by Dr. Joseph Anthes, Curriculum Supervisor for Related Arts and Social Studies, Bethlehem Area School District and a member of ArtsQuest Board of Trustees. An art teacher at Donegan Elementary School for more than a decade, Anderson has inspired students through innovative, hands-on projects that connect creativity with community engagement, sustainability and public art. Her work extends beyond the classroom through collaborative murals, outdoor learning spaces and public art installations throughout Bethlehem.
- Performing Artist of the Year – Vernon Mobley, presented by Patrick Brogan, Chief Programming Officer at ArtsQuest. A musician, composer and bandleader with more than four decades of experience, Mobley founded Fusion Jazz Trio in 2002 and has become a fixture of the Lehigh Valley music scene, performing at Musikfest every year since 2007. The group earned 14 consecutive Lehigh Valley Music Awards for Best Live Jazz Performance, while Mobley’s extensive body of work also includes original compositions for theater and dance.
- Student Artist Scholarship – Raeya Bell, presented by Robert Oster, Vice Chair of the ArtsQuest Foundation Board of Trustees. An accomplished young performer and aspiring choreographer, Bell has distinguished herself through numerous musical theater productions, including leading roles in The Wizard of Oz and 9 to 5!, while also gaining experience in directing, choreography and stage management. She plans to study musical theater at DeSales University and hopes to inspire future generations of young artists through performance and education.
- Volunteer of the Year – Ronda Senior, presented by Cory Stevens, Volunteer Team Manager for ArtsQuest. Since joining ArtsQuest in 2013, Senior has contributed more than 6,500 volunteer hours and currently serves as Chairperson of the Volunteer Committee. Her dedication and leadership have supported signature events including Musikfest, Christkindlmarkt and the Levitt Pavilion, while her lifelong commitment to service extends to numerous community organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley, including the YWCA, which named her its Woman of the Year in 2020.
Award recipients were selected by the ArtsQuest Foundation Board of Trustees, the ArtsQuest Board of Trustees, the ArtsQuest Performing Arts Board and the ArtsQuest Visual Arts Board.
A Legacy of Giving and Artistic Excellence
The Linny Awards honor the legacy of Marlene “Linny” Fowler, whose unwavering commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism and the arts helped strengthen the Lehigh Valley’s cultural community.
For more than a quarter-century, Fowler championed local arts organizations and artists, recognizing the power of creativity to enrich lives and bring communities together. Her generosity included a founding $1 million endowment gift to the ArtsQuest Foundation in 2002, establishing a lasting foundation for supporting artistic and cultural experiences in the region.
Now in its 10th anniversary, the Linny Awards continue that legacy by celebrating the artists, innovators, educators, volunteers and community leaders whose contributions help ensure the arts remain a vital part of the Lehigh Valley’s future.
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 2 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of close to $193 million in 2025. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.