Exhibit will feature the work of three Lehigh Valley-based artists, opening reception Feb 20
EMMAUS, PA, January 28, 2026 – JuxtaHub, the Lehigh Valley’s newest arts and innovation center, is proud to announce “RESURGENCE,” a compelling new exhibition featuring the works of three distinguished artists: Al Johnson, Emily Strong, and Jeremy Siedt. The exhibition opens with a reception on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with atmospheric live music by Doug Boehm and Erik Santana. The show will remain on view through March 13, 2026.
“RESURGENCE” explores the profound connections between humanity and the natural world, offering viewers a moment of reflection amid the noise and chaos of contemporary life. Through diverse artistic approaches – from abstract expressionism to figurative oil painting – the exhibition invites audiences to discover beauty within the cycles of natural decay and regrowth, and to find hope, strength, and new possibilities.
“It is an honor to be working with Emily Strong, Al Johnson, and Jeremy Siedt on this exhibition,” says curator and JuxtaHub Programming Coordinator Nina Boodhansingh. “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.”
Featured artist Al Johnson brings his renowned abstract expressionist practice to the exhibition. Johnson’s works are held in private, public, and corporate collections globally, and he has exhibited internationally from Tokyo to London to Salzburg. His recent work was featured at the Salzburg Global Seminar in Austria and MGM’s Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art’s “American Duet: Jazz and Abstract Art” exhibition. Of his contributions to “RESURGENCE,” Johnson states: “Through a blend of mixed media, vibrant colors, and dynamic forms, I aim to evoke a sense of hope and possibility. The juxtaposition of organic materials with synthetic elements emphasizes the tension between nature and human intervention, inviting viewers to reflect on their own role in this delicate balance.”
Emily Strong, a figurative oil painter based in Easton’s building Eleven20, creates intimate depictions that explore the complexities of relationships with self, other, and environment. Strong holds degrees in Studio Art and Psychology from Moravian University, and her interdisciplinary background informs her examination of existence, isolation, and identity. She currently serves as Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator at The Baum School of Art in Allentown.
Jeremy Siedt rounds out the exhibition with his raw, visceral works that emphasize impermanence and gestural movement. Siedt, who holds degrees from Tyler School of Art and University of the Arts Philadelphia, heads the Fine Art Department at Lehigh Carbon Community College and directs both Glass Box Gallery in Schnecksville and Archive American Gallery in Bethlehem. His blue-collar background in carpentry, mechanics, and physical labor informs his methodology, making his studio “a place of risk and possibility where both process and material take charge.”
EXHIBITION DETAILS:
Opening Reception: Friday, February 20, 2026, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Music by Doug Boehm & Erik Santana
Exhibition Dates: February 20 – March 13, 2026 Location: JuxtaHub, 375 S 10th St, Emmaus, PA
Admission: Free and open to the public Tues-Thurs 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fri 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
About JuxtaHub
Founded in 2019, JuxtaHub connects creators, artists, and makers from diverse mediums, fostering opportunities for education, collaboration, and innovation across the Lehigh Valley; we are where arts and technology intersect. Our 35,000-square-foot space – located at 375 South 10th Street in Emmaus – is home to 22 resident artists and features a convergent makerspace, ceramics studio, educational classrooms, art galleries, and multi-purpose gathering areas. JuxtaHub will launch a summer camp for children ages 6-12 in 2026.
Information provided to TVL by:
Ryan Hill
