Bethlehem, PA — May 1, 2026 — A new public mural celebrating local biodiversity and environmental stewardship will be unveiled this spring through an innovative collaboration at Lehigh University. Steel Rooted / Wild Blooms is the result of a cross-disciplinary course uniting students from Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES), Environmental Studies (EVST), and Art, Architecture and Design (AAD).
Led by Assistant Teaching Professor Deirdre Murphy, the course brings together students from diverse academic backgrounds to explore environmental issues through public art.
Approximately half of the class represents the arts, while the other half comes from scientific disciplines, fostering a dynamic exchange between research and creative practice.
Installed on the patio of Country Club Brewing at 323 Pierce Street on the Greenway, the mural features native flora and fauna significant to the Bethlehem region. Species depicted include the red fox, eastern mole, chimney swifts (the Bethlehem city bird), and the endangered blue-spotted salamander and rusty-patched bumblebee. Native plants such as pawpaw, coneflowers, and paper birch highlight the ecological importance of pollinator habitats, while a cultivated hops plant pays tribute to the brewery setting.
By emphasizing these species, Steel Rooted / Wild Blooms aims to foster environmental awareness and a deeper connection to local ecosystems among community members and visitors alike.
Students began the project by engaging deeply with ecological topics, including biodiversity, conservation, and speciation, through lectures by EES faculty and researchers. Community engagement played a central role, with students gathering input from Bethlehem residents to help shape the mural’s themes and imagery.
Working in interdisciplinary teams, students conducted research on subjects ranging from regional watershed systems to local land history. These investigations informed initial mural proposals, which were refined through critiques with visiting artist Jason Slowik, Southside Arts District, and Bethlehem Fine Arts Council. The final design reflects a collaborative vision to celebrate biodiversity and community. We are grateful for the sponsorship from Lehigh University’s Francis J. Trembley Endowed Chair in Earth and Environmental Sciences; Environmental Studies interdisciplinary program; Department of Art, Architecture, and Design; Country Club Brewing; Southside Arts District; and Bethlehem Fine Arts Council.
The ribbon-cutting event is free and open to the public at:
Friday, May 1, 2026
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Country Club Brewing
323 Pierce St, Bethlehem, PA
For more information about the mural, visit: https://wordpress.lehigh.edu/mural-arts/
