Musikfest's founder, local artists and singers honored at ArtsQuest's Linny Awards
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Among his many artistic endeavors, Anthony Smith Jr., had always secretly wanted a Linny Award.
Smith, a professor at Kutztown University based in Bethlehem, often discusses racial stereotypes and social injustice in his important works.
"I feel the [award] is a validation, especially for the kind of work that I do, which is not easily discernible," Smith said. "It's dense and filled with like lots of information and stories."
Thursday, he got what he wanted.
The Linny Awards are presented each year by ArtsQuest to distinguished individuals from the region for their longtime commitment and dedication to the arts.
Lifetime Achievement Award
A ceremony for the attendees was held on Thursday evening at the ArtsQuest Facility.
The awards are named after the late Marlene "Linny" Fowler, who was an artist and philanthropist and was one of the largest donors to ArtsQuest.
She was also a friend to many in the community, including Jeff Parks.
Parks, who founded Musikfest in 1984, received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
He talked about how the community and ArtsQuest has evolved in the past 40 years ago.
Parks started Musikfest to boost community morale during a time when Bethlehem Steel was starting its decline.
"As we built and as we structured, we created these campuses, but more importantly, the programs," Parks said. "They all really extend from MusicFest in terms of their spirit.
"To be a part of this community and to create both a community culture, I see it everyday."
Parks said he considers ArtsQuest's "a legacy only one can fantasize about."
Emerging artist of the year
Lilly Moss, a graduate of Freedom High School and currently studying at Lafayette College in Easton, hopes her Linny honor is one of many.
The local songstress took home the Emerging Artist of the Year award on Thursday.
"It's super exciting and kind of surreal knowing where I started and seeing where I am now and it's only been about three years," Moss said. "It gives me chills because it's the beginnings of my career and I feel honored because it's in my hometown."
The country singer, who was diagnosed with leukemia when she was three, will release her new album "Meet Me on Broadway," next week.
"We're crossing our fingers and hoping that it gets the traction and reaches a lot of people that they like it," she said.
Her upcoming live shows include an album release party at the Mines nightclub in Wilkes Barre on Friday, Nov. 22 and a concert at Easton's Winter Village on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Other winners
Proceeds from the Linny Awards support the nonprofit ArtsQuest Foundation, which Fowler helped found in 2003.
The foundation is focused on supporting and strengthening the long-term sustainability of ArtsQuest, the nonprofit that presents Musikfest and more than 4,000 other programs, events and educational classes annually in the Lehigh Valley.
Any individual, business or community group interested in nominating a person for the Linny Awards can do so at www.artsquestfoundation.org/linnyawards .
Winners will be selected by the ArtsQuest's Performing Arts Board, Visual Arts Board and the ArtsQuest Foundation Board of Trustees and are announced in July.
