“Lehigh Valley: Memories and Metamorphosis: A Look at Our Changing Culture and Landscape” showcases the work of 19 area artists.

The exhibition is part of the Nurture Nature Center’s annual “Perspectives: Art on Environment.”

The Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St., Easton, is closed for construction of an addition for the Earth & Sky Dome immersive theater, to be completed in 2027.

The exhibit is part of NCC’s 2025-’26 semiquincentennial-themed humanities program, “We the People: Reflecting Back, Building Forward.” The series, funded by the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, is in its ninth year.

“It’s a project that seeks to work with artists and community members to harness the power of art to engage people in environmental issues,” says Nurture Nature Center Art Director Keri Maxfield,

“This round, we decided to look at the Lehigh Valley and the built-in environment: the resources that brought us here, the places we cherish, what we change, what we choose to keep. It’s all important in telling the story of what makes the Lehigh Valley, the Lehigh Valley,” says Maxfield, curator of the exhibit.

She describes the program as a “safe place” for artists, writers, photographers and community members of diverse backgrounds. “A lot of times they’ll create something that’s totally unlike other things they traditionally create,” Maxfield says.

Participating artists include: Sherry Acevedo, Lynn Alexander, Mary Budkoski, Jamie Cabreza, William Christine, James Cox, Patricia Delluva, Linda Ganus, Deborah Hamburger, Anna Kodama, Barbara Kozero, Claire Marcus, Tom Maxfield, Melissa Benzinger McGlynn, Patricia Porter, Maryann Riker, Cleveland Wall, Michael Wall and Don Wilson.

In addition to painting, sculpture, print, fabric art and collage, several of the artists experimented with pop-up books to tell the stories of the area’s past, present and future.

Riker’s collapsible box artist book, “Hess’s Serves Us Through the Decades,” celebrates Allentown’s former center city department store.

“Hawk Mountain Sanctuary,“ a pop-up book by McGlynn, traces the history of what was once was a killing ground for raptors in Kempton that became a protected bird refuge.

Easton Farmers’ Market, Saucon Park, Hexenkopf Preserve and Bethlehem’s Rose Garden are among the subjects depicted in the artwork and art books, along with the geology, wildlife and industries particular to the Lehigh Valley and the relationships the residents had with them and each other.

Rosemary Pratka, Jim Wilson and Kate Semmens are credited with researching and writing historical information for the exhibition.

“Lehigh Valley: Memories and Metamorphosis: A Look at Our Changing Culture and Landscape,” through July 31, Lipkin Theater Lobby, Kopecek Hall, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township. Gallery hours: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, and during theater performances. https://www.northampton.edu/about/college-theatre/

Nurture Nature Center information: 610-253-4432, https://nurturenaturecenter.org

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