Lehigh art gallery centennial bash blends art, music and 100 artists at Zoellner

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The line wrapped around the halls of Zoellner Arts Center.

The DJs kept the beat steady, and the trendy crowd shimmered in — bold prints, sparkly dresses and wide-brimmed hats.

For a moment, it felt more like a lit college party than an art exhibition.

"What an extraordinary moment this is for us to gather and celebrate all that your creativity provides.”
Lehigh University President Joseph J. Helble
Outside, food trucks lined the street as families spilled out, turning the evening into a block-party vibe.

Yes, there were 100 reasons to celebrate Lehigh University Art Galleries’ centennial, which held its "Light Up LUAG!" kick-off event on Friday.

The birthday bash coincides with the "Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists" exhibition, which runs through May 22 and highlights the works of local creatives.

Inside, the gallery was buzzing — 100 artists and 100 works.

The party drew a crowd that rivaled lines at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, Lehigh University President Joseph J. Helble said earlier in the night.

“When I came here as a student many decades ago, I had no exposure to art museums,” Helble said.

"It was the presence of art everywhere on campus — the sculptures, the paintings — that opened my eyes to different ways of seeing and understanding the world.

"What an extraordinary moment this is for us to gather and celebrate all that your creativity provides.”

Read (or listen) to the full article by Micaela Hood by following the link in the additional information box.