Promo - Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists

SAVE THE DATE: Celebrate with us at Light Up LUAG on Friday, September 19!"

100 Years of Lehigh University Art Galleries
From the art and engineering of the first Lenape inhabitants, through the upheavals of the steel and railroad industries, to the hi-tech manufacturing of today, makers and innovators of all kinds have found a home in the Lehigh Valley.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this maker mindset found its way into the DNA of Lehigh University, shaping both artists and engineers. Lehigh University’s founder, Asa Packer, was a creative entrepreneur: a carpenter and boat-builder who believed in a well-rounded education. Built on this creative spirit, LUAG has championed the power of art since 1926 – the year of the first known art exhibition on campus.

A century later, the museum provides art experiences for all, offering dynamic programming and meaningful art education to learners of all ages. Exhibitions in our galleries represent artworks from both globally-recognized institutions and from LUAG’s own collection of more than 20,000 works of art.

Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists
In honor of this milestone, LUAG is thrilled to present Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists – a juried exhibition of 100 artists reflecting the wide range of artistic practices thriving in our local community today.

From September 2, 2025 through May 22, 2026, the 100 selected works will transform our galleries, providing a dynamic catalyst for a series of receptions, lectures, community workshops, and special events – a true celebration of LUAG's past, present, and future. Follow along here for a growing list of centennial events.

The yearlong exhibition draws from a vibrant wellspring of creativity: nearly 300 area artists submitted approximately 800 artworks, serving as a testament to the region’s breadth of talent and the power of art to inspire. The exhibition will coincide with an initiative to make significant purchases of works by local artists for the university’s collection.

We were pleased to have Curlee Raven Holton, Founding Director and Master Printer at Raven Fine Art Editions, Easton, as the exhibition’s guest community juror. Previously, Curlee served as the founding director of The Experimental Printmaking Institute (EPI) at Lafayette College, where he was the David M. and Linda Roth Professor of Art. He recently retired as the director of the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland.

For more information and a full list of the featured artists check out LUAG’s landing page for the exhibition: https://luag.lehigh.edu/exhibitions/here-and-now-100-years-luag-100-local-artists