Drive through any of the Lehigh Valley's three cities and you will notice something that was not there a decade ago. Murals are appearing on warehouse walls, pedestrian alleys, parking garages, and building facades. Sculptures sit in unexpected places. The region is experiencing a public art boom, and it is changing the way these cities look and feel.
Allentown: The Mural Movement
Allentown Mural Arts is a collaborative public art and beautification program that has produced over a dozen installations across the city. The works illustrate Allentown's diversity, history, and community pride in bold colors and striking imagery. The ArtsWalk in downtown Allentown features commissioned murals, sculptures, and lighting projects supported by City Center Investment Corp.
In 2024, The Path project at 932 Hamilton Street brought together 17 artists to create murals in a new pedestrian alley, transforming a forgotten space into a destination. The Lehigh Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance runs a Mural Mentorship Program that partners with the Allentown Parking Authority, Arts Commission, City Center, and DaVinci Science Center to train the next generation of mural artists.
Bethlehem: The Urban Arts Trail
Bethlehem's South Side is home to the Urban Arts Trail, a 2.75 mile route featuring sculptures, murals, and outdoor artwork created by local and international artists. ArtsQuest's Public and Community Art program commissions and maintains public works throughout the SteelStacks campus and South Side. The trail connects to the broader network of galleries, studios, and performance venues that make up the South Side Arts District.
Easton: Art Along the Creek
Easton's public art story centers on the Karl Stirner Arts Trail, a 1.75 mile sculpture walk along the Bushkill Creek. But the city's commitment to public art extends beyond the trail. Lafayette College's campus galleries and the growing downtown arts community have made Easton a place where art is not confined to indoor spaces.
A Valley Wide Canvas
Taken together, the public art initiatives across all three cities tell a story of a region that is investing in its visual identity. These are not vanity projects. They are community statements. Every mural, every sculpture, every painted alley says the same thing: this place matters, and the people who live here deserve to see beauty in their daily lives.
