Fromm Lights Up Some of Allentown's Sculptures

The Allentown Arts Commission has initiated a public-private partnership to light up some of the City of Allentown, PA’s public art! Through a collaboration between the Allentown Arts Commission, Fromm, and City of Allentown’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the new initiative has shed light on some of the city’s long-standing sculptures.

Locations for the lighting project, funded through the Public Art and Activation Program, were strategically chosen to create high visibility and high impact. The first two sculptures being showcased, the “Archommage” sculpture located at Ott and Hamilton streets and the “Balancing Log” sculpture located at 15^th Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, are only the beginning of a larger lighting initiative by the Allentown Arts Commission.

The Allentown Arts Commission believes the arts have the capability to connect people of all cultures, religions, and social-economic backgrounds like no other. Public art has the capability to grow and expand at an organic pace, piece-by-piece to create a connection where diversity does not apply. It breeds innovation, connection, and inclusion.

"We are so thankful for the partnership with Fromm to help the City's beautiful assets 'come to light.' With the encouragement of our community, our goal is to grow the program and light a few more up each year!" said Jane Heft, Allentown Arts Commission Chair.

Since 2020, the Public Art and Activation Program has led to the installation of more than 20 new public art projects throughout the City of Allentown. Intersecting with this initiative, the program has also sponsored the lighting of existing public art throughout the city.

As the Allentown Arts Commission continues to support lighting projects throughout the city, future projects will further these goals while also activating more accessible and pedestrian-friendly spaces. Working with a local business to implement the lighting project allowed a seamless implementation process.

Fromm was involved in the earliest stages of conceptualizing the lighting projects, bringing sample landscape lighting fixtures onsite to the sculpture located at 15th Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to perform a live test for the Allentown project leaders and members of the Allentown Arts Commission. The fixtures were tested in different settings to choose the best option for several sculpture locations.

The Allentown Arts Commission looks forward to continuing to promote the arts and culture of the City of Allentown by activating existing public art and creating new and engaging experiences throughout Allentown.