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It’s the ideas and the details that bring character to a community. The Southside Arts District has been adding these delightful touches to the community through art.
Designed and painted by Matthew Chernaskey. Photo by Southside Arts District.
The planters installed in front of local businesses last year were somewhat confused with garbage cans, even though lovely flowers were growing out of them. Today passers-by can see the artistic signatures of local painters and designers who are adding their talents to the environment.
The beautification project has been going on throughout the summer. To take a look at more pictures of the planters, seek out the Southside Arts District Facebook page. And if you haven’t liked it yet, consider following it for updates on the exciting things happening in the Southside. The Morning Call covered a story about one of the artist, John Patrizi (featured image of this post) with more photos of him at work.
This week, more functional art has been popping up around the arts district in the form of bike racks. As Bethlehem grows into a more bike-friendly community, bike racks are not only adornments, but places where riders can secure their two-wheeled transportation while they shop, dine, work or play in the South Side.
Did some Banksy-type welder forge these shapes in a creepy studio somewhere? No – but many people were involved in this project. As these things go, there was a partnership of a few government and non-profit organizations that came together on the project. A call for proposals to local artists and designers went out in the early part of 2017. The Banana Factory administered the call for proposals, and a committee of representatives from the City of Bethlehem (Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission), the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, the Southside Arts District, and ArtsQuest (The Banana Factory) juried the applications. The Northampton County CIPP (community investment partnership program) grant funded the streetscape improvement project. The grant supported materials and installation of the selected designs. But it also took an investment of artistic expertise and time to imagine, design, and execute these into the functional art we see today.
Here are four other bike racks with their locations in case you want to look for these on your own:
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- Created by Lehigh University’s Design Collective. Installed in front of Dé’ja Brew Coffeehouse & Deli – 101 West 4th street. Photo by Southside Arts District
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- Created by Lehigh University’s Design Collective. Installed in front of Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub, 4 East 4th Street. Photo by Southside Arts District
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- “Solar,” from Spillman-Farmer Architects. Installed on the NW corner of 3rd & New streets. Photo by Southside Arts Distrcit
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- “Molten Metal” photo by Bethlehem Economic Development Office
As of this post, there are four bike racks we’ve seen either in person, or by scanning our social media channels. During July’s First Friday (7/7/2017) event in South Bethlehem, there will be a formal ribbon cutting ceremony at 6:00pm at the “Molten Metal” at Northampton Community College, Fowler Family Center – 531 East 3rd street.
After the unveiling, join in the casual 0.5 mile bike ride down the South Bethlehem Greenway. The ride will end at New Street where there will be FREE Sotto Santi‘s pizza (while supplies last). This is a slow-paced ride where persons of all skill levels can participate. People can start gathering during the ribbon cutting around 6:00pm and the group will roll out at about 6:30pm.
Bike Rental at Bethlehem Public Library. Photo by BAPL FB page
No bicycle? No problem. Rent a bike from Cutters Bike Shop or the Bethlehem Area Public Library through Bike Bethlehem’s free bike share program. If you are a Lehigh University student faculty or staff member, you can also rent a Zagster bike at Lehigh; $15 a year for access to a bike!
While riding through the SouthSide, look for hidden bike symbols at the SouthSide merchants, snap a photo, post to Facebook and tag the SouthSide Arts District (@southBethArts on Twitter and Instagram) to win prizes and more. The more photos you post, the more chances to win!
Maybe we’ll get a prize for this video? Nah – we just wanted you to know that they really are bike racks. And the one in front of Molly’s doesn’t need quarters. Don’t yell at the Bethlehem Parking Authority. They’re just doing their jobs really, really well.
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