CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — As the academic year comes to an end, Penn State Lehigh Valley’s students are once again being recognized for their artistic talents.
The annual Penn State Lehigh Valley Student Art Exhibition kicked off earlier this month and will remain on display in the campus’ Ronald K. De Long and Community galleries through May 7.
The campus celebrated the exhibit Tuesday, April 12, with an Artist Reception that included refreshments and entertainment by members of the student Music Club. The event included remarks by Gallery Director and Arts Coordinator Ann Lalik, senior arts administration major and gallery intern Allyshia Mohr, and Chancellor Tina Q. Richardson.
All told, the exhibit features the talents of 147 students who produced works in a variety of media, including drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, metalwork, sculpture and graphic design. The students created the works in PSU-LV’s visual studies courses taught by art faculty members Greta Bergstresser, Chris Bonner, Liz Flaherty, Christina Galbiati, David Gothard and Lalik. Funding for the exhibit was provided by the campus Student Activity Fee.
For Lalik, the exhibit is “a true reflection of all the hard work put in by the students.”
“It is always a special experience to work with the art faculty and students to assemble the incredible variety of work our students produce during the school year,” Lalik said. “I am always amazed and impressed, especially considering that our campus does not have a studio art major, and the work is created in general education art courses.”
During her reception remarks, Richardson noted that although she’s no artist, she can appreciate art in all its forms. And she’s grateful for all the aesthetic enhancements that Lalik, the art faculty, and the student artists have brought to campus life.
“Every time I attend an art gallery reception, I’m moved by it. I don’t know that I could live without art,” Richardson said. “The talent on display here today was cultivated and encouraged by our art faculty, and I’m really thrilled by every contribution you make. And I love seeing the long trail of gifts the students are giving to the world through their art. Keep doing what you’re doing, because the world needs it.”
Mohr said it was tremendously gratifying to collaborate with Lalik on the installation of the exhibit.
“It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun to see how it all came together,” said Mohr, who plans to pursue a career in the Philadelphia art world upon graduating. “I enjoyed being part of all the behind-the-scenes stuff. And I loved working with Ann. She has so much knowledge, she’s so helpful, and she’s just always there for you.”
For more information on the exhibition, including gallery hours, contact Lalik at annlalik@psu.edu or 610-285-5261. Or, visit lehighvalley.psu.edu/gallery.