Explores Priorities in Life through Upcoming Art Display by LUAG: "What Matters Most" Exhibition
The Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) are set to host a unique community-curated exhibition titled "What Matters Most," which aims to engage the South Bethlehem community in exploring and presenting what is most important to them through art.
The exhibition, opening on August 24 across the Lehigh campus and along the South Bethlehem Greenway, invites participation beyond professional artists, encouraging a broader representation of voices and perspectives in the gallery space. This approach aims to connect the university’s resources with the lived experiences of the South Bethlehem community.
Melanie Lino, owner of Made by Lino and Lit Coffee, is one of the participants who chose an abstract print called "Carolina Memory," by Romare Bearden, citing a connection to nature and support as her reasons. Erin Zebertavage, Downtown Manager with the SouthSide Arts District, selected a photograph of a beach scene titled, "Ballston Beach" (1984) by Joel Meyerowitz, emphasizing the sense of community and joy it evokes.
The artwork for the exhibition is limited to two-dimensional pieces such as photography, prints, and paintings. Participants chose from over 5,000 pieces available digitally through LUAG's website.
A free, public opening reception on the Greenway will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 7. The exhibition will continue through the 2022-2023 academic year in LUAG's five satellite galleries across campus, including The Gallery at Rauch Business Center, The Fairchild Martindale Study Gallery, Dubois Gallery, Maginness Hall, Siegel Gallery, Iacocca Hall, and Alumni Memorial Hall.
In partnership with the Southside Arts District, 20 works will be depicted along a nearly two-mile stretch of the South Bethlehem Greenway Trail. The exhibition also includes a series of 30 videos featuring Lehigh students interviewing participants about what matters most to them and discussing their chosen artwork.
Moreover, LUAG will launch a notebook designed by members of Lehigh's Counseling and Psychological Services, featuring prompts to help people work through the question of what matters most. Bill Way, a postdoctoral fellow with Lehigh’s Counseling and Psychological Services, stated that the exhibition is an example of how people can express difficult emotions through artistic expression.
Briana Luppino, a psychologist with Counseling and Psychological Services, mentioned that during the pandemic, people realized what was most important to them due to shared hardship and difficulty. Participants discussed various issues such as inequality in society, bringing people together, identity and gender, the environment and climate change.
The "What Matters Most" exhibition also aims to foster a collaborative and inclusive space where community members can express their values, stories, and identities, thereby strengthening community ties and creating a dialogue between the university and local residents. For more precise details or programming related to this exhibition, such as participating artists or specific themes, consult the Lehigh University Art Galleries’ official website or contact their curatorial staff directly for the most accurate and detailed information.
- The Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) invites members of the South Bethlehem community, beyond professional artists, to participate in the community-curated exhibition "What Matters Most," showcasing a diverse range of voices and perspectives.
- Erin Zebertavage, from the SouthSide Arts District, chose a photograph that evoked a sense of community and joy for the exhibition, reflecting the goal of connecting the university's resources with the lived experiences of the community.
- The "What Matters Most" exhibition features a variety of two-dimensional pieces, such as photography, prints, and paintings, with over 5,000 pieces available digitally through LUAG's website for selection.
- In partnership with the Southside Arts District, 20 works from the exhibition will be displayed along a two-mile stretch of the South Bethlehem Greenway Trail, encouraging public engagement with art and fostering a sense of community.
- The exhibition includes a series of videos featuring Lehigh students interviewing participants about what matters most to them and discussing their chosen artwork, providing insights into the themes of mental health, cultural diversity, environmental science, and social issues.
- LUAG aims to create a collaborative and inclusive space where community members can express their values, stories, and identities, fostering dialogue and strengthening community ties, and offering resources such as a notebook designed by Lehigh's Counseling and Psychological Services to help people reflect on what truly matters to them.
