Reflections in the Glass Box
Warm sunlight that glistens through the walls of windows, making art come alive and shine. Cool, smooth flooring and benches of stark white for viewers to rest and soak in every paint stroke. An air of expression, of culture and of life. In the Glass Box Gallery, students can show who they are through whatever medium they choose.
[From left to right] Alice Frank, Jeremy Siedt and Alex Ho stand amongst the art in the gallery.
Once only a large study room, the gallery, located in the Rothrock Library, has become a point of pride for the LCCC community. The opening of the gallery was first celebrated in August of 2023 at the LCCC Foundation’s Art, Rhythm & Tasting event, and since then it has hosted a myriad of art exhibitions. From solo shows to group exhibits, from student artists to working professionals, the gallery has carved its place in the local art scene.
The idea for a dedicated campus gallery had been brewing for a long time for Jeremy Siedt, assistant professor of art at LCCC. He’d begun planning for the gallery in 2019, and although COVID-19 delayed much of the production, the help and support of the college’s administration brought his vision to life only a few short years later.
“We aim to host one exhibition each month,” Siedt says. While other galleries only host quarterly exhibitions, the Glass Box Gallery has aimed to create a constant flow of exhibitions monthly. Siedt ensures the students have ample time to learn the ins and outs of what makes an art show tick. Students not only get the opportunity to be featured in shows with the opportunity to sell their art, but they’re also working behind the scenes by planning, curating, promoting and more. Alex Ho, Alice Frank and Bronwyn McKee are the current gallery student workers and driving force behind each exhibition. “Their dedication to this gallery, this student body, is unmatched,” Siedt says. “Students have the opportunity to learn and grow as an individual, an artist and a workforce member through the gallery.”
Since the gallery’s inception almost two years ago, the space, as well as the artists it hosts, has transformed greatly. Hosting different well-respected artists means the gallery shows a diverse array of work—from Francis Beaty’s immersive sculptures that took up much of the space with their loud presence to the quiet, calm photography work of Matthew Blum and Adam Atkinson. “The gallery is a platform for artists from all different stages of their career to be able to show their work in a professional setting,” Siedt says. Because of this, the aesthetic style of the gallery is a true blank canvas for each artist to make their own.
Photo by Alice Frank.
Students, staff and faculty aren’t the only ones feeling the ripple of the Glass Box Gallery’s strong presence. The gallery has extended its reach across Schnecksville, and they’ve only just begun, according to Dr. Kelly Trahan, Dean of Arts, Technology and Center for Innovation and Learning at LCCC. To her, the space is the ideal platform for strengthening community partnerships. “It not only showcases local artists,” she says, “but also brings in community organizations, businesses and even schools to engage in collaborative events, like art walks, workshops or fundraisers.” Both Dr. Trahan and Siedt believe more partnerships are on the horizon, especially with local businesses such as The Midnight Gallery and Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theater.
While many don’t think of community colleges as having a strong presence of the arts, the importance of diversifying fields of study and learning opportunities for students remains the same. The Glass Box Gallery is one way to “provide a space where the universal language of creativity speaks louder than our differences,” according to Siedt. Dr. Trahan believes that having a dedicated space for art at the college “enhances the educational experience, allowing students to engage with their critical thinking skills, creativity and cultural awareness, as well as serving as an accessible medium for students to express personal experiences, emotions and identities.”
Though its appearance and programming have evolved since 2023, there’s a great deal of progress to be made. Thanks to grant funding, the space will soon have new walls to match the aesthetic of the gallery and new collapsible shelving around the perimeter for additional display space. Other recent updates include digital display screens to accommodate additional art mediums and a new floor.
Photo by Alice Frank.
“The gallery will continue growing by expanding its educational programming,” Dr. Trahan says. In addition to hosting exhibitions, the space will also hold guest lectures, workshops, open mic events and more to enrich student life. “The gallery might also see increased community involvement through art fairs, outdoor exhibitions or collaborations with other academic institutions…[such as] collaborating with local school districts to host art competitions and provide scholarships and pathways for future students,” she continues.
With much more opportunity for future, current and past students on the horizon, it’s clear the Glass Box Gallery is just getting started with its work in becoming one of the most premiere galleries in the Lehigh Valley and a staple of the LCCC main campus. For more information, visit the Glass Box Gallery webpage.
