The Ronald K. DeLong Gallery at Penn State Lehigh Valley will host a solo exhibition titled 'Solace: Photographs by Jane Noel' from September 10 to December 5. The show features over a dozen large-scale archival pigment prints by local photographer Jane Noel, who draws inspiration from her home on South Mountain. Trees are a recurring subject, with gallery director Ann Lalik comparing the immersive experience to walking into a forest. Noel, a former lecturer at PSU-LV, holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has exhibited extensively in the region.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the role of regional university galleries in showcasing local artists and fostering community engagement with visual art. By centering themes of meditation and contemplation through nature photography, the show offers a reflective cultural experience in a small-town setting. It also underscores how artists find creative renewal in personal environments, connecting broader conversations about art, place, and well-being.