ArtsQuest Foundation Select 2023 Linny Award Winners Named

Winners to be Honored Nov. 9 at 5^th annual Linny Awards Celebration, to be held at SteelStacks

Bethlehem, PA April 25, 2023—The ArtsQuest Foundation announces its winners of select 2023 Linny Awards, presented to distinguished individuals from the region for their longtime commitment and dedication to the arts. The 5^th annual Linny Awards celebration will be held Thursday, November 9 at 5 p.m. at SteelStacks.

• Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Barb and the late Jack Yaissle
    Jack and Barb were born in Pottsville, PA and graduated from Pottsville High School. Jack graduated from Lehigh University and Barb graduated from Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing. Living in the Lehigh Valley, Jack founded Cornerstone Financial Consultants. Jack and Barb have three children and four grandchildren. They have both volunteered and financially supported various charities throughout their lives including ArtsQuest, ArtsQuest Foundation, Lehigh University and St. Thomas More Church.
    “Jack and I dedicated many years in support of the arts in the Greater Lehigh Valley, “commented Barb Yaissle. “We believe the programming and economic impact that ArtsQuest provides the community is vital to its growth and well-being. I am so pleased to accept this award on behalf of my husband and myself.”
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Volunteer
  • Chuck and Cindy Yeoman
    Chuck and Cindy have been residents of Williams Township, PA since 1992, relocating from Bucks County. Chuck, now retired, was Vice President, Partner and COO at Campbell Supply Company, where he worked for 37 years and currently consults through his company, CJY Solutions, LLC. Cindy, also retired, was employed with M&M Sales, Inc. where she oversaw financial operations and sales support. The couple spent many years volunteering with the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Chuck as a Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout Coach and Cindy as a Den and Pack Leader. Chuck is also involved in local sportsman’s and veteran associations. Over the years, Cindy has volunteered with ArtsQuest as an usher, ticket taker, festival set up/take down, beer tapping and stagehand. Chuck is a Board Member of the Friends of Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks and an ArtsQuest volunteer. The Yeoman’s have two adult sons and are proud owners of one dog and four cats. 
    “We believe volunteering makes our community a better place to live,” said Chuck and Cindy Yeoman. “Whether it’s setting up tents for Musikfest, sitting on an ArtsQuest Board or Committee, or helping with a Levitt concert, we are always willing to lend a helping hand. We thank the ArtsQuest foundation for honoring volunteerism and its important role within our community.”
• Philanthropy in the Arts Award
  • Brenda and John McGlade
    Brenda and John are lifelong residents of the Lehigh Valley, splitting their time between Bethlehem and Marco Island, FL. John is a Lehigh University graduate and retired Chairman and CEO of Air Products. Brenda, a retired music teacher and choir director, attended West Minster Choir College and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in pipe organ and voice. The McGlade’s are avid supporters of the arts, including ArtsQuest (John was an ArtsQuest Foundation Trustee), Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Zoellner Arts Center, Community Music School and Artist Naples. Brenda has also been very active in bringing the arts to children, volunteering in after school voice, piano and theater activities with the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown and sponsoring summer camp scholarships in arts and music programs for children. Musikfest is, of course, one of the McGlade’s favorite events, having been to most every festival since the beginning. They have four children – Matt, Jackie, Steve, Zack and their wonder dog, Elly. Sidenote – Matt and his band have played numerous Musikfest venues over the years.
    “Access to artistic, cultural and educational experiences is vital when creating a better community,” commented Brenda and John McGlade. “ArtsQuest provides the Greater Lehigh Valley with such rich and diverse programming. We are pleased to be part of the network that supports ArtsQuest and the ArtsQuest Foundation.”
• Business Supporter of the Arts Award
  • Boyle Construction
    Boyle Construction has been a leader in construction management in the Lehigh Valley since 1977. The company has over 100 construction professionals working to ensure projects are ‘Built Better.’ They are proud of the long list of repeat clients and businesses they have had the pleasure to work with over the last 45 years. Their Building Better Together Committee invests in local organizations such as ArtsQuest that help support the lives of people in the community where employees, customers and partners live, work and play.
    “The Boyle Construction team prides itself on ‘Building Better’ projects throughout the Lehigh Valley,” commented Sean Boyle, President. “We are honored to receive this award in support of ArtsQuest in their mission to provide arts and cultural access and education to the community and as a key element of economic development in our urban communities.”

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 announced in July.

The Linny Awards ceremony will take place at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, located in the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

ArtsQuest also has select opportunities for sponsors who are interested in saluting the ‘rock stars’ of the Lehigh Valley’s arts scene. If you or your company are interested in sponsoring an award or table at the 2023 awards ceremony, contact ArtsQuest Foundation Executive Director Selena Lavonier at slavonier@artsquest.org.

About the Linny Awards

Named after the late Marlene ‘Linny’ Fowler, a stained-glass artist and community leader who supported artists and arts organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley for more than a quarter century, the Linny Awards are designed to recognize and celebrate the region’s flourishing arts community. The Linny’s are open to individuals living or working in Lehigh, Northampton, upper Bucks and upper Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Warren County in New Jersey.

Proceeds from the Linny Awards go to 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 for our region.

For complete information on the ArtsQuest Foundation and the Linny Awards, please visit www.artsquestfoundation.org/linnyawards