LUAG Asks “What Matters Most” with New Exhibition

The Lehigh University Art Galleries asks faculty, staff, students and the community to explore what matters most to them as they navigate the pandemic.

What matters most?

Lehigh University Art Galleries posed that question to more than 100 Lehigh faculty, students and staff, as well as members of the Bethlehem, Pa., community, for a community-curated exhibition that opens Aug. 24 across the Lehigh campus and along the South Bethlehem Greenway.

Participants were asked to select an artwork from Lehigh’s extensive collection to help them think more deeply about the question as they continue to navigate the pandemic.

“We are asking, What matters most? What are our priorities now, and what should they be as we all try to re-emerge in the world?” said LUAG Director William Crow, who is also a professor of practice in the Department of Art, Architecture and Design.

LUAG also will launch a series of 30 videos featuring Lehigh students interviewing participants about what matters most to them and discussing their chosen artwork.

The “What Matters Most” exhibition will continue through the 2022-2023 academic year in LUAG’s five satellite galleries across campus. In partnership with the Southside Arts District, 20 works also will be depicted along a nearly two-mile stretch of the South Bethlehem Greenway Trail, from South New Street to the Bethlehem Skateplaza across from Wind Creek Casino. A free, public opening reception on the Greenway will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 featuring commentary from Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82 and Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds.

Read the full article by Christina Tatu by following the link in the additional information box.