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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Gallery View: “Resurgence” seen at JuxtaHub, Emmaus

“The goal of the exhibit is for both the artist and the viewer to share experiences that encourage reflection and growth, strengthen relationships, foster empathy and healing, and inspire conversations that bring us closer together,” says curator and JuxtaHub Programming Coordinator Nina Boodhansingh.

“Resurgence: Al Johnson, Emily Strong and Jeremy Siedt” conclude through March 13, JuxtaHub, Emmaus.

“It’s intuitive abstract,” says Al Johnson of his works, including “We Been Here Before” (2026; mixed media on canvas, 20 in. x 20 in.). He explains there are “indigenous kind of shapes” boldly juxtaposed with other elements in the foreground and background in this and other paintings.

In addition to acrylic and enamel paint, he renders his works in charcoal, grease pencil, oil pastels and paint scraped off the pallet.

“All these energies cosmically come together. This is what I envision,” says Johnson.

“Reclaim” (2026; oil on canvas, 41 in. x 59.5 in.) is the most recent chapter in Emily Strong’s “Figurative Landscapes” series featuring human appendages gathered, twisted and contrasted in dramatic groupings to create skin-toned typography works.

Audio recordings of an interview with the model, telling a story of personal growth and “reclaiming something from childhood” can be accessed through a QR code posted adjacent to the painting.

“It just felt like it really seemed to fit the theme of ‘Resurgence,’” she says. “I was thinking about the theme and I was also thinking about the model and the interview that goes along with this piece.”

“Most of my work all starts from utilizing metal laying it on top of the canvas and behind it, slowly allowing the cursive properties to happen through non-toxic solutions such as water, salt and vinegar,” Jeremy Siedt says about “NRP-2” (2025; mixed media on canvas, 60 in. x 48 in.).

He works on his pieces with brushes, torches and angle grinders. “NRP-2” has an abundance of steel, copper and aluminum.

“Once the composition starts to slowly reveal itself, I work back on top of it with other natural materials: cement, different grindings and powdered pigments as well as other metals.”

Johnson and Strong have art studios in Eleven20, Easton.

Johnson studied at Pratt Art Institute, The Art Students League of New York and the Albert Pale School of Commercial Arts.

Strong received degrees in Studio Art and Psychology from Moravian University. She is Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator at The Baum School of Art, Allentown.

Siedt is a graduate of Tyler School of Art and University of the Arts, Philadelphia, He heads the Fine Art Department at Lehigh Carbon Community College and directs the Glass Box Gallery, Schnecksville, North Whitehall Township, and the Archive American Gallery, Bethlehem. His art studio is in Williams Township.

“Resurgence: Al Johnson, Emily Strong, and Jeremy Siedt,” JuxtaHub, 375 S. 10th St., Emmaus. Gallery hours: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday. “JuxTuesday,” Reception and tours, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Second Tuesday. https://juxtahub.com/

“Gallery View” is a column about artists, exhibitions and galleries. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com

PRESS PHOTO BY ED COURRIERFrom left: Jeremy Siedt, Emily Strong and Al Johnson with Siedt’s “NRP-2” (2025; mixed media on canvas, 60 in. x 48 in.), Strong’s “Source” (2024; oil on canvas, 36 in. x 48 in.) and Johnson’s “We Been Here Before” (2026; mixed media on canvas, 20 in. x 20 in.), “Resurgence: Al Johnson, Emily Strong, and Jeremy Siedt,” JuxtaHub, Emmaus.