This year’s original 36X48 poster painting was auctioned off online

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The original poster painting for Musikfest 2021, created by Pennsylvania artist Mandy Martin, sold for a price of $1,520 through an online auction. All auction proceeds will benefit The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (FRJE), powered by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

With bold depictions of red poppies at its forefront, this year’s poster theme is based on the symbol of rebirth that poppies came to be in the wake of World War I. The painting will be on display at the ArtsQuest Center on the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem through the end of August.

The auction winner, Seth Weber, a professor at DeSales University, will go home with a historical, original painting. Contributions will be directly invested in community-led efforts to end systemic racism. The FRJE is dedicated to targeted and intentional approaches to support personal, organizational and ecosystem development leading to greater influence and economic vitality at the hands of Black and Brown leaders.

On Wednesday, August 18, ArtsQuest’s President & CEO Kassie Hilgert, Vice President of Education and Impact for the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Jill Pereira, FRJE leader Doctora Vivian Robledo of Bethlehem Area School District and artist Mandy Martin presented the painting to the auction winner.

About ArtQuest
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 Banana Factory Arts Center; 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, approximately 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region. ArtsQuest is a proud member of NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association and NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners.

Information provided to TVL by:
Nicole Harrell
ArtsQuest Director of Communications
http://www.artsquest.org/

 

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