Cultural craft
Two new murals to illustrate diversity and strength along Southside Bethlehem’s Urban Arts Trail
One piece honors Hurricane Maria survivors and the strength drawn from family, community and culture.
Another illustrates the diversity, culture and spirit, as well as commonality, among the people of Bethlehem’s Southside.
Both are new murals that will be installed as part of Southside Bethlehem’s Urban Arts Trail. The new murals will be unveiled at a special event on April 2 in the courtyard of Café the Lodge and Victory House of Lehigh Valley at Fillmore Street and the Greenway.
The Urban Arts Trail is a pandemic-safe way to enjoy art while getting some exercise. It’s 2.75 miles through Southside and offers more than 30 different stops including murals, sculptures, artist-designed bike racks and more. Each spot on the trail offers artist information and details about the pieces.
One of the new murals will be installed on the back wall of Victory
House of Lehigh Valley by Banana Factory artist Devyn Briggs. The creation, which will be called “Rebuilding and Remembering,” celebrates the families that have joined the Southside community after Hurricane Maria.
“It is also about growing up in two cultures, and the strength that comes from being rooted in family, community,
and culture,” said Devyn in a news release.
The other new mural by Maltas Con Leche, a family of Latino artists, whose youngest member is only 11 years old. It will be seen within the courtyard of Café the Lodge.
The unveiling celebration will begin at 6 p.m. with a live performance from The Wonton Soups, followed by a brief presentation and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. for the murals. Those who attend are welcome to
take a tour of the Urban Arts Trail, with musician Neil Grover playing the Public Piano at Fillmore and Third streets, and Lorenzo Bubba, of Dear Anna performing at the Harmony Pavilion on the Greenway.
To learn more about the trail: https://southsideartsdistrict.com/urban-arts-trail/