Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA – July 8, 2024 – ArtsQuest, on behalf of the National Scenic Visitors Center, announces an upcoming unique experience “Earthwalk Explorer” coming to the Banana Factory from July 20 – 27, 2024. Earthwalk Explorer is a walkable 8’ x 16’ map of the eastern United States. It is a three-dimensional representation of the U.S. from North Carolina to New Hampshire. This free and family friendly exhibit will take place in the Crayola Gallery. Visit Bananafactory.org for hours of operation.

Visitors will experience a “feet to earth” exploration that takes them across the landscape. As you walk along, you will see everything from state borders to lakes and rivers, mountain ranges to parks and trails. Explorer also features two colorful Geoshows on the Native American presence in Pennsylvania. One focuses on the network of native trails that formed the foundation of the modern transportation network. The other animates the rich artifactual legacy of Lenape, focusing on petroglyphs found throughout Pennsylvania. Finally, a third Geoshow highlights bird migration along the Atlantic Flyway.

“The Earthwalker Explorer is the world’s first walkable 3D map. Invented by the National Scenic Visitors Center and fabricated by NCC’s Fab Lab, it is a fun and educational experience for all ages,” says Co-Founder Mary Ellen Snyder. “The Explorer tells stories of geography, history, nature and culture. Over 20,000 visitors have explored the map – in their socks, like benevolent giants. Visitors learn about the Lenape people, the original caretakers of our region, bird migration along the Atlantic flyway and ancient petroglyphs found in our rivers.”

The Explorer has received praise from many. “I loved being able to show my kids places they could recognize in relation to surrounding areas,” commented one impressed visitor. Other praise included comments like “amazing visuals,” “a totally different view of geography,” and “incredibly interesting history lesson.” The Explorer has had successful shows at the PA State Capitol, Johnstown Discovery Center, Northampton Community College, Lancaster Science Factory and the Da Vinci Science Center. We are excited to add the Banana Factory to that list.

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 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, over 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Information provided to TVL by:
Bryn Keeney