urban arts trail

 

Today is the kick off of the South Bethlehem Urban Arts Trail. It's 2.75 miles of murals, mosaics, sculptures, bike racks, flower planters, and a public piano.

I thought it was going to be an app, and maybe it will be after the grand opening tonight at 6, but right now it's a web site. If I can pull Angel or Bonnie or Pam away from their real lives I'll try to do it. I've already seen all but one piece. Lydia would never walk three miles.

It begins with the Welcome to the South Side mural at the Comfort Suites, and then heads to the Banana Factory for four items. Then it's a block for three more murals at the Fahy bridge intersection. (Lehigh Pizza, McCrory's, Phillips Music. You have to be as old as me to get those references.) Then you pick up more murals at 3rd and Adams, Lehigh Valley Charter Arts HS, a bike rack behind the high school, the Fowler Center which is also the location of the piano. I haven't seen that yet, but I bet it's under the awning. The final item at the Fowler Center is a bike rack in front of the parking lots.

Then it's time to hike up the Hayes Street hill to Fourth where you will find a "phone booth" I think it looks like a painted Tardis. I've been wondering for years what the point of them is. Recently they became bulletin boards. Continue up Hayes to the South Side Lofts (the old St. Stanislaus Church) for two more murals on the church and another across the street, near Fifth. You can't miss it.

Return to Fourth and head west toward New Street. There is another phone booth across from the Windish Church. You'll need to cross the street to see this mural on Cafe, the Lodge (on the firehouse side) near Fourth and Fillmore. Further down the block there is a bike rack.

When you reach Taylor, turn left and there are three murals on Bonn Brewery. Turn left on the Greenway for another bike rack, Pagoda and bird sculptures. As the Greenway ends, turn left and head back up to Fourth. There is a bike rack and mural on Molly's Pub. At 4th an Adams, there is a window mural at the Homebase Skate Shop. Across the street at Deja Brew is another bike rack. The final mural is on the Tally Ho. The final bike rack is at Dunkin next to the flower planter. (Bethlehem Sporting Goods in a past life.)