The Baum School of Art, 510 W. Linden St., Allentown, celebrates 100 years of nurturing creativity while paying tribute to the legacy of founder Walter Emerson Baum with “The Baum Legacy: A Centennial Exhibition,” through Oct. 17.

Baum’s far-reaching impact as an artist and arts educator is explored in the recently-renovated school’s three new galleries with more than 100 pieces of artwork curated by Emily Strong, Baum School of Art Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator.

In addition to works by Walter Baum, the retrospective features artwork by his students, and members of his family, including, but not limited to: Edgar Baum, Harvey Baum, Marian Baum Grim, Nolan P. Benner, Jr., John E. Berninger, Clarence Dreisbach, Lee Everett, Ellen Grim Harter, R. Charlotte Treichler Harris, Ann Elaine Harris, Walter Mattern, Grace Whitehead Phillips, D. A. Scheiber, Richard Schantz, Alvena Seckar, Melville Stark, Bette Treichler, Jerry Quier, Ann Yost Whitesell, Jeanne Wolf and Kenneth Wolf.

Dr. Martha Hutson-Saxton, Atty. Judith A. Harris and Holly Harter, who attended the Sept. 17 opening reception, are credited, along with the Baum and Grim families, for making the “Centennial” exhibition possible.

“I did the research and ended up writing a book on Walter Baum and the history of the founding of the Baum School of Art and the Allentown Art Museum,” says Baum School trustee Hutson-Saxton.

“We’re going to do another book, just on the 100 years of the Baum School of Art,” Hutson-Saxton says.

Harris, who was on the “Centennial” exhibition committee, says, “I and my family have loaned many of the works, about 40 of the works here today, because our family members, our mothers, our aunts, our cousins, they were all Baum students.”

Says Harris, “Walter Baum played a huge role in my mother’s life. She talked about him all the time. He was a big part of our lives because he had such an influence on her.”

Harris, a lawyer, says she enjoys viewing the Baum School building across the Allentown Arts Park from the window of the law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., where she co-chairs the Estate, Trust and Tax Law Practice Group.

“Shannon Fugate [Baum School executive director], our fearless leader here, had this great idea about kicking off our centennial celebration with this wonderful legacy exhibition,” says Harter, a longtime Baum School trustee.

“We decided to focus it on works by my great-grandfather, the well-respected Pennsylvania Impressionist painter Walter Baum,” Harter says.

Although much of the exhibition is a family affair with artwork by her mother and other talented relatives, Harter highlights the inclusion of works by students Baum taught from 1926 - 1956.

“That to me is the most exciting part of the exhibition: to frame the mentor with the mentees,” says Harter, noting that several of Walter Baum’s art students became notable artists themselves.

The “Centennial” exhibition is sponsored by Holly Harter and Harry Snodgrass.

“The Baum Legacy: A Centennial Exhibition,” The Baum School of Art, 510 W. Linden St., Allentown. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday. 610-433-0032, https://www.baumschool.org/

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