NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 17, 2010
CONTACT: Mark Demko, 610-332-1300, ext. 342, mdemko@fest.org

PUBLIC INVITED TO HEAR PHOTOGRAPHER SPEAK

BETHLEHEM, PA--The public is invited to hear Lydia Panas, the photographer behind the “Family Pictures…Untold Stories” exhibit at the Banana Factory, discuss her work and inspirations during two upcoming special events.

Panas will offer an artist’s talk at the Banana Factory on Friday, April 2, 5 p.m. The presentation will be followed by an exhibit reception from 6-9 p.m. as part of the Banana Factory’s First Friday celebration. 

Panas will also give an artist’s talk on Thursday, March 25, 4 p.m., at Maginnes Hall, Room 111, at 9 W. Packer Ave. on the Lehigh University campus as part of Women’s History Month. Both events are free and open to the public.

“Family Pictures… Untold Stories” features a variety of candid family photographs taken by Panas, a Berks County-based photographer who has taught at the Museum of Modern Art and Guggenheim Museum in New York, as well as at universities such as Lafayette College, Muhlenberg College and Moravian College in the Lehigh Valley.  The exhibit is on display at the Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem, through May 23. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

The Banana Factory is a nonprofit cultural arts and education center featuring 28 studio artists, the GlassWorks glass studio, community classrooms, a gift shop and more. The arts center offers diverse outreach programs, arts-in-education programs and classes and workshops throughout the year. Its mission is “to kindle, support and celebrate the artistic, cultural and creative spirit of the Lehigh Valley.”

For more information, call 610-332-1300 or visit www.bananafactory.org.

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