Regionally, The 5 X 5 Artist Group has presented annual art exhibits entitled The 5 X 5 Show in different art spaces throughout the Lehigh Valley. This small coalition of artists celebrates and shares their artistic visions within our cultural area.

The concept for these exhibitions always highlights 5 artists and their 5 defining medias. The Group’s primary mission is to showcase these artists’ vast array of imagery and individual styles. Their curated shows cover a wide range of subjects for the entire community to view and serve to further educate a younger generation of future art lovers by exposing them to the distinct mediums on display.

The history of this venture started in 2015. Some artists and friends realized that some media were being overlooked in various art exhibits and competitions and that omission became a driving force to promote their respective mediums on an equal basis. Calling themselves The 5 x 5 Artist Group were: Richard Begbie (photography), James A. DePietro (oil/acrylic painting), Barbara Kozero (mosaics/sculpture), Jacqueline Meyerson (pastels), and  and Patricia Delluva (printmaking/ drawing) joined this artistic family of five. Each year they present new work at various galleries or museums. Although their styles and subject matter vary, the overall effect is a strong collection of individual voices speaking as one.

Having previously shown at Gallery 514 in Allentown, The Nurture Nature Center in Easton, The Baum School of Art, The Nazareth Center for the Arts, and The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts in Bethlehem, this current exhibition at the Banana Factory from January 23 to March 21, 2021 marks the 6th edition in their exhibition schedule.

Telling a story or stating a message about our world is a pivotal part of my artist expression. I am essentially a visual storyteller and have been using my aesthetic voice by utilizing a series format approach with my artwork for many years. My unique and imaginative point of view on a variety of contemporary sociopolitical themes is evident in these oil / acrylic paintings which explore a wide range of topics. Work submitted for this exhibit come from three of my series: The Flora Series, Objets d’art Series, and my latest grouping, The Stream of Consciousness Series. My realistic figurative imagery contrasts against abstract fields of colorful backgrounds or vibrant borders which together convey my personal statement to the viewer.

Award-winning educator and artist, James A. DePietro, was born in Bethlehem, PA. James embarked on his teaching career earning degrees from Kutztown University and Wilkes University. He taught in the Bethlehem Area School District as an art educator and classroom teacher for 35 years. Nominated three times for the Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust’s (B.E.S.T) Award for Excellence in Teaching, he won the honor in 2008. That same year, he was one of the recipients of The Top Educators in the Lehigh Valley Award.

After retiring from 35 years of teaching, he now devotes his time to creating detailed figurative oil / acrylic paintings inspired by nature or issues that affect our society. His paintings are in many private collections and are shown extensively throughout the United States. An active member in art organizations of the Lehigh Valley, including ACE (Art Community of Easton) and serving on the board of the Lehigh Art Alliance for many terms. he is also an elected member of Allied Artists of New York and the American Artists Professional League. He serves on the Bethlehem Fine Art Commission and promotes the work of other regional and emerging artists.

DePietroʼs award-winning artwork has been shown in many galleries and museums and has been published in books and national magazines. His artwork has been seen in Lehigh Valley Style Magazine, Arts Alive, and American Artist Magazine. More of his paintings can be seen in the book, How to Discover Your Personal Painting Style.He continues to exhibit his work in regional juried art exhibits throughout the United States. This past year, one of his paintings was selected to be part of the permanent art collection of the City of Bethlehem.

To see further examples of his artwork go to his website: www.jamesadepietro.com

24” x 36”

Mixed Media (Oil / Acrylic / Spray Paint on Gessoboard)  POR

12” X 12”

Oil on Gessoboard

$900

32” X 27”

Oil on Paper

$800

12” X 12”

Oil / Acrylic on Gessoboard

$650

24” X 24”

Oil / Acrylic on Gessoboard

$1200

38” X 29”

Oil on Paper

$850

24” X 30”

Oil / Acrylic on Gessoboard

$1500     

Storytelling through repeated images appears in my numerous paintings and prints. Experimenting with different methods and techniques in picture-making has always energized me. Recently, I have revisited charcoal as my current medium of choice to express my desire to create moods using images from my walks along the canal towpath in Bethlehem. There is a narrative expressed in these works, and it is often difficult for me to express my thoughts in one piece, so often I will end up with a series of images. Nature has been a frequent theme, but I take equal interest in uncovering uncommon relationships in the ordinary, often using light and shadow to create pattern and mood found within my charcoal drawings and monotypes.

After ten years as a high school art and photography teacher, I embarked on a
career as Registrar of the Allentown Art Museum. Experiencing first hand the
outstanding works by artists and artisans from different eras and cultures further
broadened my understanding of the creative process and deepened my
appreciation of historical innovation in the visual arts. My multi-disciplinary
teaching approach and museum work still inform my artistic direction.

Charcoal, 17”h. x 20”w.

$300

Monotypes with plates, 17”h. x 20”w.

$300

Monoprint, 12”h. x 34”w.

$300

Charcoal, 14”h. x 16”w.

$275

Charcoal, 16”h. x 20”w.

$300

Charcoal, 16”h. x 20”w.

$300

Charcoal, 14”h. x 16”w.

$275

Charcoal, 14”h. x 16”w.

$275

 In my photographs, the viewer first sees the realistic subject. Through further examination, the abstract elements of the image force the viewer to experience the duality of the subject matter. I attempt to use my camera to provide a view of the subject on a second aesthetic level as a realistic expression and as an abstract expression. By using both natural and enhanced use of texture and color, I want to convey a multi-layered image to the viewer. I rarely manipulate my images but I do use photographic software to edit, and in some cases, enhance the natural image. I print my images on 100% cotton smooth fine art paper. This provides an image that is slightly softer in edge which replicates the look of a fine art print or painting.

Richard Begbie is a native of New York City. He has a degree in Graphic Arts and
Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology and additional academic
degrees from Indiana University (Bloomington) and Cedar Crest College.
Upon completion of his master’s degree and for the next 40 plus years, Richard held
various management positions at a number of colleges and universities. Anticipating his
retirement over 8 years ago, Richard returned to photography and has been working on
his art and volunteering with arts organizations. Richard is a member of the Lehigh Valley Photography Club. and the Arts Community of Easton (PA). For several years he was a member and exhibition chair for the Hillcrest Camera Club (NJ). He is a member of the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission and serves on the Rotunda Gallery and City Collection committees. In 2016, Richard was invited to participate in the Boz’Art en Baz’Art residency in Vichy, France. His work is now represented in the City art collection. Richard has been juried into the Pennsylvania State of the Arts exhibition at the State Museum in Harrisburg for three of the last five years. He was awarded first place in photography in 2016.
His award-winning works have been extensively shown both regionally and locally in the
Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities including the Allentown Art Museum,
Reading Public Museum, Goggleworks Art Center, Hunterdon Art Museum, Gallery at
St. John’s, The State Theater Gallery, The Nurture Nature Center, The Sigal Museum,
the Phillips Mill Gallery, the Philadelphia Sketch Club, The Pennsylvania Center for
Photography, and the New York Center for Photography. He has had solo exhibitions at
Muhlenberg, Moravian, and Cedar Crest Colleges, as well at the Nurture Nature Center
and the Bethlehem Town Hall Rotunda Gallery. His work is also represented in many
private collections. His work has been be seen at the Jadite Gallery in New York and
the Connexions Gallery in Easton.
More about Richard’s photography can be found on his website:
www.RichardBegbiePhotography.com

24” X 30”

Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

$500

30” X 24”

Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

$500

24” X 30”

Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

$500

30” X 24”

Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

$500

24” X 30”

Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

$500

30” X 24”

Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

$500

24” X 30”

Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

$500

 Although painting and drawing are an integral part of what I do as an artist, my areas of focus are ceramic sculpture and mixed media mosaics. The sculptures are often "opportunistic”, inspired by and including found objects or materials. I will use old window frames, toys and broken dishes or cast off dime store "nick knacks." These sculptures, as well as the mosaics, evidence a love of rich and varied surfaces. I admit to being a bit of a scrounger. If I can't find a glass or clay color, pattern, or shape that I want, I will use earthenware clay and underglaze to achieve that effect. Recent subject matter has included landscapes with plants and animals, many of which are framed as windows. My artwork has often been described as fanciful or whimsical.

Mosaic

16" W X 20" H

$400

Mosaic

15" W X 2

$400

Mosaic

17" W X 20" H

$450

Mosaic

17" W X 17" H

$350

Mosaic     

18" W X 37" H

$625

Mosaic

22" W X 31" H

$600

Mosaic

15" W X 24" H

$400

 Painting with pastels has become a tribute to the exploration of opportunities the medium has to offer. Tricking the viewer into thinking she/he can touch the subject in my painting, feel its surface, and maybe smell its aroma, while encouraging her/him to connect emotionally with the subject, are my goals. Traditional soft and hard pastels allow me to create rich sensual textures and realistic transparent effects. Using both, cool and warm palettes, I can express the drama and passion I feel for my subjects. The selected subject for my work for this exhibit highlights my current muse: painting multiple objects in the food category, in what I call “My Food Obsession.” I got my inspiration from being socially distanced, which provided me the opportunity to cook a lot more and have a serious relationship with food.

Pastel 

27”H x 27”W

$2500

Pastel 

21”H x 25”W

$1400

Pastel

25”H x 21”W

$1400

Pastel 

20”H x 24”W

$1400

Pastel 

16”H x 18”W

$600

Pastel 

13”H x 13”W

$450

Pastel

19”H x 16”W 

$1300