Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists
A Visit to Lehigh University Art Galleries
(and an aggressive encounter with a highly motivated artwork)
I packed up my tiny blue self and rolled over to Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) for a look at Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists — a centennial exhibition celebrating both the gallery’s long history and the vibrant creative community of the Lehigh Valley.
From the moment I arrived, I could feel something important was happening. LUAG carries a kind of presence—intentional, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the idea that art belongs to everyone.
I waved hello, as one does.
And then—
An extraordinary piece by Berrisford Boothe fell off the wall.
Not gently.
Not symbolically.
With force.
It hit the floor, gathered momentum, and began rolling.
Toward me.
What followed was not a brief moment of confusion. It was a full, gallery-wide pursuit.
I ran.
Through rooms.
Past sculptures.
Along walls lined with work that remained respectfully stationary.
Meanwhile, this piece—now fully committed to its path—continued rolling, gaining speed, maintaining focus, and demonstrating what I can only describe as excellent follow-through.
Art, in this case, had intention.
And velocity.
I would like to note that I handled this with professionalism.
After what can only be described as a complete tour of LUAG at an accelerated pace, I was able—through timing, instinct, and sheer determination—to guide the piece safely back into place.
Just in time for the closing reception.
You’re welcome.
Back to the Exhibition (which is exceptional, even when not in motion)
Inside LUAG, the exhibition offers exactly what a milestone show should: range, depth, surprise, and evidence that local art is anything but small.
This juried exhibition brings together 100 artists from our region, representing an expansive mix of voices, materials, generations, and approaches. Painting, sculpture, fiber, installation, mixed media, photography, and forms harder to politely categorize all share space here. It is less a single show and more a living portrait of a creative ecosystem.
I always appreciate exhibitions that trust viewers to move between quiet reflection and visual excitement. Here and Now does that beautifully. One moment I was studying delicate stitched surfaces layered with memory and narrative. The next, I was standing before towering sculptural forms reaching upward like ambitions with excellent posture.
There is also something deeply meaningful about seeing LUAG commit space and attention to the artists working in its surrounding region. Too often, local talent is discussed casually and supported inconsistently. This exhibition does the opposite. It frames community artists as essential contributors to culture, history, and the future of art in this valley.
As a docent of uncommon size but considerable emotional depth, I found that moving.
The exhibition also reflects LUAG’s century-long mission of connecting art, education, and public access. Rather than looking backward only, this centennial project uses history as a springboard into the present moment. It asks:
Who is making work here now?
What matters now?
What stories are being built now?
Excellent questions. I approve.
Closing Celebration: Bye for Now, Here and Now!
Before the exhibition closes, LUAG is hosting one final public celebration: “Bye for Now, Here and Now” on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 6:30–9:30 PM at Lehigh University Art Galleries.
This free spring sendoff honors both the 100 artists in the exhibition and the wider creative spirit of the Lehigh Valley.
You can:
Tour the exhibition
Meet the artists
Enjoy music by the NiteLiters DJ Collective
Participate in artmaking
Enjoy lite bites and drinks indoors
Visit food trucks outdoors
Get caricatures with George Gets Silly
…and more
Be sure to arrive by 7:45 PM for special welcome remarks.
Free parking will be available in the Zoellner garage, and ASL interpreters will be present throughout the event.
I strongly support any gathering that includes art, snacks, and securely mounted work.
Final Thoughts from a Small Frog
If you live anywhere near the Lehigh Valley, make time for this exhibition while you can. Wander slowly. Read labels. Notice what pulls you in.
You may recognize names, discover new favorites, or leave inspired to make something yourself.
That is the finest outcome any exhibition can offer.
Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists remains on view through May 22, 2026 at Lehigh University Art Galleries. Admission is free.
I left with many thoughts, a successful containment effort, and a renewed respect for the power of moving artwork.
— Hen 🐸
(no artwork or frogs were hurt in the making of the video)