Randall Forte, Executive Director - Lehigh Valley Arts Council / Joan Miller-Moran - Amaranth Foundation / Lisa Fedon - Lisa Fedon Sculpture Studio

Lehigh Valley Arts Council unveils public art sculpture series

The first in a series of public art sculptures was unveiled at the Lehigh Valley Visitor Center at 840 Hamilton Street in Allentown, located on the first floor of the Butz Corporate Center, on April 24, 2007.  “Surrounded by Art,” a three-dimensional materials display by , was commissioned by the Lehigh Valley Arts Council (LVAC). The sculpture currently display's information about the arts and local art communities in the Lehigh Valley, including LVAC’s Arts Calendar and other materials from its collaborative arts marketing partnerships. “The first tenet of the Arts Council mission is ‘to promote the arts,’ said Randall Forte, Executive Director of the LVAC, “and the arts should be promoted in artful ways.” Two other sculptural displays are planned, for the future visitor centers in Easton and Bethlehem. Said Forte: “The LVAC believes that the arts are essential to the economic prosperity and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley.  Our relocation to the new Butz Corporate Center in downtown Allentown has created opportunities for greater regional collaboration to strengthen arts, business and tourism.”  Fedon’s displays will further enhance the ‘downtowns’ of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton as the epicenter for artists, arts organizations and arts communities in the Lehigh Valley.” “Surrounded by Art” is the latest in Fedon’s extensive metalwork portfolio, which appears in corporate and public collections throughout Pennsylvania.  She works primarily in steel and bronze, and has been commissioned extensively for public works.  Fedon is also a longtime member of the LVAC; her work has received numerous awards.  Added Forte, “her work offers a fine aesthetic with functionality in beautiful and imaginative ways.” The Lehigh Valley Visitor Center in Allentown is run by Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, the region’s designated tourist promotion agency. “Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau understands the importance of a strong arts community in promoting tourism,” said Michael Stershic, president of LVCVB. “We are happy to be partnering with LVAC to expose visitors and residents to the Valley’s arts assets.” The Allentown Visitor’s Center is open to the public, Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6:00 p.m.  The sculpture was funded through the generosity of the Amaranth Foundation.